Three dimensional stress and strain state of the offshore fill during the one-dimensional consolidation process

Abstract

Evaluating the filling soil strain and stress behaviors during offshore reclamation and consolidation processes is crucial in forming a stable marine engineering foundation. While, the one-dimensional stress-strain testing technology cannot reflect the three-dimensional (3D) characteristics of the large site, which poses a potential disaster to the uneven settlement of the site. In this study, we construct a platform for 3D testing of strain and stress state during soil consolidation process on the basis of the novel 3D strain rosette and 3D earth stress sensor. Subsequently, the platform was used in a consolidation model test of the Dalian Offshore Airport filling soil, which consists of red clay and stone powder in a mass ratio of 1:4. The results indicate that self-weight consolidation mainly involves an increase in isotropic spherical strain, while load consolidation results in significant shear strain. During soil consolidation process, stress increases first and then dissipates, while vertical compression occurs due to the self-weight of the soil. The evolution law of the principal strain is direction-independent, whereas that of the principal stress remains comparatively stable when the principal stress increases steadily. This study provides a reference for the consolidation deformation and soil strength evaluation of soil fill.