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

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, semi-analytical 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. (C) 2022 American Society of Civil Engineers.

Automated summary

This paper presents semi-analytical solutions for the one-dimensional consolidation of unsaturated soils under depth-dependent stress. The correctness of the solutions is validated and the effects of depth-dependent stress on the consolidation properties of unsaturated ground are discussed through parameter studies.