A Series of Semianalytical Solutions of One-Dimensional Consolidation in Unsaturated Soils

Abstract

This study presents a new series of semianalytical solutions of Fredlund and Hasan's one-dimensional consolidation equations for unsaturated soils under a variety of boundary conditions. The Laplace transform was adopted to solve the one-dimensional consolidation equations in the form of two-order partial differential equations with two variables. The semianalytical solutions of excess pore pressures and settlement are provided in the Laplace domain. The developed semianalytical solutions show good exactness and generality in comparison with the solutions subjected to the homogeneous, mixed, and semipermeable drainage boundaries available in the literature. Finally, a few of the calculating examples are conducted to depict the consolidation properties of unsaturated soils subjected to six types of boundary conditions, and parametric studies are provided by changes of excess pore pressures and settlement with the ratio of air-water permeability coefficient, depth, and time.