One-Dimensional Consolidation for Unsaturated Soils under Depth-Dependent Stress Induced by Multistage Load

Abstract

This paper presents semianalytical solutions of one-dimensional (1D) consolidation for unsaturated soils with depth-dependent vertical stress induced by multistage load. Based on the 1D consolidation theory of unsaturated soils proposed by Fredlund and Hasan, semianalytical solutions of excess pore pressures and settlement subjected to depth-dependent stress in a Laplace domain are derived by adopting Laplace transform and differential operator method. Then, the analytical solutions in time domain are obtained by Crump’s method, and corresponding computing programs are compiled. The correctness of obtained solutions has been validated by comparing the current solutions in this paper with those under only time-dependent load in the existing paper. Finally, considering the two-stage load scheme, parametric studies are carried out to discuss the 1D consolidation properties for unsaturated ground under the depth-dependent stress.