Uncertainty of One-Dimensional Consolidation of Multi-Layered Soft Clay Soils

Abstract:

The measured coefficient of consolidation can have a substantial degree of variation even in a uniform clay layer. The probability characteristic values for such parameters as consolidation coefficient and compression modulus are analyzed from local engineering data. This paper, through a probabilistic analysis, examines the variability of one-dimensional consolidation solutions. The multilayer models are evaluated. Then the Monte Carlo method is used to develop solutions for one dimensional consolidation. It identified the influence of the parameter uncertainty on the probability characteristic of the consolidation degree. The uncertainty of consolidation coefficient has a great impact on the probabilistic characteristics of the consolidation degree, but for compression modulus it is opposite true. It proposed a simplification analysis method that considers only the uncertainty of consolidation coefficient without consideration of the uncertainty of compression modulus, and its erroneous precision can meet the engineering requirements.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 250-253)
• Pages: 1838-1841
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.250-253.1838
• Online since: May 2011
• Authors: Xiao Yong Li
• Keywords: Compression Modulus, Consolidation Coefficient, Multilayer Soil, One-Dimensional Consolidation

References

[1] Lumb, P., Precision and Accuracy of Soil Tests, Proceedings, First International Conference on Applications of Statistics and Probability to Soils and Structural Engineering, Hong Kong, China, (1971), pp.329-346.

[2] Lumb, P., Spatial Variability of Soil Properties, Proceedings, Second International Conference on Applications of Statistics and Probability in Soil and Structural Engineering, Aachen, Germany, (1975), pp.397-422.

[3] Wu, T. H., and Kraft, L. M., Safety Analysis of Slopes, Journal of the Soil Mechanics and Foundations Division, ASCE, Vol. 96, No. SM2, (1970), pp.609-630.

DOI: 10.1061/jsfeaq.0001406

[4] Wu, T. H., Vyas, S. K., and Chang, N. Y., Probabilistic Analysis of Seepage, Journal of the Soil Mechanics and Foundation Division, ASCE, Vol. 99, No. SM4, (1973), pp.323-340.

DOI: 10.1061/jsfeaq.0001867

[5] Nadim, F, Tools and strategies for dealing with uncertainty in geotechnics Chapter 2 in Probabilistic Methods in Geotechnical Engineering, eds. D.V. Griffiths and G.A. Fenton, Pub. Springer, Wien, New York (2007)

[6] Lee, P.K.K, Xie, K.H., Cheung, Y.K. A study on one dimensional consolidation of layered systems. International Journal of Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanic, (1992), 16: 815-31.

[7] Liu, Z., Sun, L. Yue, J. and et al. One-dimensional consolidation theory of saturated clay based on non-Darcy flow. Chinese Journal of Rock Mechanics and Engineering, (2009), 28(5): 973-979. (in Chinese)

[8] Mesri, G., Rokhsar, A.. Theory of consolidation for clays. Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, ASCE, (1974), 100(GTB): 889-904.

DOI: 10.1061/ajgeb6.0000075

[9] Olson, R.E.. Consolidation under time-dependent loading. Journal of Geotechnical Engineering Division, ASCE, (1977), 103(GT1): 55-60.

DOI: 10.1061/ajgeb6.0000369

[10] Poskitt, T.J.. The consolidation of saturated clay with variable permeability and compressibility.Geotechnique, (1969), 19(2):234-52.

DOI: 10.1680/geot.1969.19.2.234

[11] Tee C.I., and Nie X.. Coupled consolidation theory with non-Darcian flow Computers and Geotechnics, (2002), 29: 169-209.

DOI: 10.1016/s0266-352x(01)00022-2

[12] Gui, S., Zhang, R., Turner, J.P., and Xue, X.. Probabilistic slope stability analysis with stochastic hydraulic conductivity. J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng., ASCE, (2000), 126(1): 1-9.

DOI: 10.1061/(asce)1090-0241(2000)126:1(1)

[13] Mesri, G., Lo, D.O.K., and Feng, T.-W. Settlement of embankments on soft clays. Vertical and horizontal deformation of foundations and embankments, Geotech. Spec. Publ. No. 40, A. T. Yeung and G.Y. Felio, eds., ASCE, New York, (1994), 1: 8-56.

[14] Phoon, K.K., Huang, S.P., and Quek, S.T. Simulation of second-order processes using Karhunen-Loeve expansion. Computers and Structures, (2002), 80: 1049-1060.

DOI: 10.1016/s0045-7949(02)00064-0

[15] Xie Kanghe,Pan Qiuyuan.One-dimensional consolidation theory of layered soil under arbitrary loadings. Chinese Jounal of Geotechnical Engineerin, (1995), 17(5): 80-85(in Chinese)