Asymptotic Solution for the One-Dimensional Nonlinear Consolidation Equation Including the Pore Evolution Effect

Abstract

Soil consolidation causes pore compression and ground subsidence. Accordingly, void ratio, compressibility, and permeability change, thereby affecting the consolidation process. Thus, the consolidation generates a nonlinear coupling interaction with pore compression. Considering the effect of pore evolution on consolidation is important for accurate analysis of the consolidation process. In this article, a one-dimensional (1D) nonlinear consolidation equation is reformulated based on the property relationships related to pore evolution, and a consolidation coefficient is provided as an independent variable. The nonmonotonic change in the consolidation coefficient with an increase in the effective stress is described. In addition, an asymptotic solution for the present consolidation equation is obtained by adopting the Galerkin–iterative method. In this solution, the pore-water pressure is decoupled into two physical quantities: pore-water pressures of Terzaghi’s consolidation theory and pore evolution effect; the latter characterizes the effect of pore evolution on the dissipation of pore-water pressure. On the basis of the present consolidation equation and its asymptotic solution, some complex consolidation characteristics reported in the literature are clarified. The predicted results of the asymptotic solution and the corresponding experimental results have a better consistency compared with the results calculated by Terzaghi’s solution.