Analytical Solution to One-Dimensional Consolidation in Unsaturated Soil Deposit Incorporating Time-Dependent Diurnal Temperature Variation

Abstract

Several experimental studies have demonstrated that temperature changes may significantly influence the deformation of unsaturated soils. Thus, there is an essential need to develop a predictive framework for unsaturated consolidation capturing the nonisothermal effect. This paper presents an analytical solution to the one-dimensional (1D) consolidation of unsaturated soil deposit in response to temperature variation. A set of governing equations of flow incorporating the nonisothermal condition were first obtained. Then, Fourier sine series and the Laplace transformation were used to derive solutions based on these governing equations. This study highlighted the effect of diurnal temperature variation on pore pressures and soil deformation at different depths while considering two conditions of interest: (1) no external applied load, and (2) application of step loading to the ground surface. In addition, the thermal diffusivity characterizing the consolidation behavior of unsaturated soils was also investigated and is discussed in this paper. It is predicted that a decrease in thermal diffusivity would attenuate the effects of diurnal temperature on the unsaturated consolidation.