A Strain-Controlled Finite Strain Model for CRD Consolidation of Saturated Clays Considering Non-Linear Compression and Permeability Relationships

Abstract

Consolidation is the combined phenomenon of the compression and groundwater seepage of clay. Accurate evaluation of the consolidation characteristic is essential for the design, construction, and long-term stability of geotechnical structures. In this study, a strain-controlled non-linear finite strain model for constant rate-of-deformation (CRD) consolidation was developed for quickly and reliably predicting the consolidation behavior of clay soils. The model can account for any form of non-linear compression and permeability relationships, thus considering variations in the coefficient of consolidation. Being strain-controlled, it overcomes the limitations of stress-controlled models which require complex numerical iteration. The validity and accuracy of this model were verified through rigorous comparisons with both numerical simulations and experimental data. For normally consolidated soils, a non-linear e-lgσ′compression model was used instead of a linear compression model. For overconsolidated soils, the Harris function compression model was determined to be recommended to overcome the discontinuities in total stress and pore pressure caused by the traditional piecewise e-lgσ′ model. It was also found that determining the steady state of consolidation for normally consolidated soils should use the non-linear method, while the linear method is suggested to be adopted for overconsolidated soils.