Analytical Solution for Radial Consolidation of Combined Electroosmotic, Vacuum, and Surcharge Preloading Considering Smear Effects

Abstract

The combining of electroosmotic, vacuum, and surcharge preloading is an emerging technique for soft foundation treatment. Considering smear effects and free strain, an analytical solution for the radial consolidation of combined electroosmotic, vacuum, and surcharge preloading was derived based on the characteristic function method and Bessel function. The correctness of the proposed solution was verified by comparing with existing solutions and numerical results. On this basis, the influence of smear effects, vacuum pressure, surcharge load, and applied voltage on the consolidation characteristics of soil was further analyzed. The results showed that when the electroosmosis permeability coefficient of the undisturbed zone was greater than that of the smear zone, the excess pore-water pressure at the interface between the smear zone and the undisturbed zone increased in the early stage of consolidation owing to the electroosmotic effect. Vacuum pressure had a great influence on soil consolidation in the smear zone, while applied voltage had a great influence on the consolidation of soil in the undisturbed zone.