One-Dimensional Strain Research of Coral Mud Based on a Modified Burgers Model Considering Stress History

Abstract

Coral mud is a special rock and sediment mass and is widely distributed in the South China Sea. Studying the deformation of coral mud is important for infrastructure development in the South China Sea. When choosing a model to describe the long-term deformation of coral mud, it is difficult for a simple nonlinear deformation model to accurately and universally describe the complex deformation processes of the sediment; a complex model is too time-consuming and difficult to apply to practical engineering. In this article, based on a classical element model, the Burgers model, certain elements are modified in combination with one-dimensional oedometer tests under normally consolidated situations. Then, combined with an unloading and reloading test, the modified Burgers model is further improved, and a modified Burgers model considering stress history is obtained. The modified Burgers model considering the stress history only has four parameters, all of which have practical physical significance, which makes the model easy to use. Different loading times and cyclic loading and unloading tests prove that the model has good stability and can, not only simulate the deformation characteristics of sediment, but can also provide good variation rules for the parameters.