Modeling Effects of Clay Structure on Consolidation Behavior

Abstract

The nonlinear compressibility, permeability, and changes in yield stress induced by soil structure and their effect on consolidation behavior of clays is studied using the Gibson-Lo rheological model. Variations in compressibility and permeability of structured clays are captured using bi-linear e-log σ' and e-log k v models with the break in behavior controlled by the yield stress. The resulting nonlinear governing equation for consolidation is solved using a hybrid combination of analytical and numerical methods. The relative magnitude of the applied stress to the yield stress of clays is found to influence the rate of consolidation as well as the ultimate settlement. In addition, the ratios of the model parameters C c /C k , C e /C c and C ke /C k are shown to have different effects on the consolidation behavior of clays. Poromechanics V © ASCE 2013Poromechanics V Downloaded from ascelibrary.org by University of Birmingham on 06/26/16.