One-dimensional nonlinear consolidation of soft clay with the non-Darcian flow

Abstract

Based on the non-Darcian flow law described by exponent m and threshold gradient i 1 under a low hydraulic gradient and the classical nonlinear relationships e-lgσ′ and e-lgk v (Mesri and Rokhsar, 1974), the governing equation of 1D nonlinear consolidation was modified by considering both uniform distribution of self-weight stress and linear increment of self-weight stress. The numerical solutions for the governing equation were derived by the finite difference method (FDM). Moreover, the solutions were verified by comparing the numerical results with those by analytical method under a specific case. Finally, consolidation behavior under different parameters was investigated, and the results show that the rate of 1D nonlinear consolidation will slow down when the non-Darcian flow law is considered. The consolidation rate with linear increment of self-weight stress is faster than that with uniform distribution one. Compared to Darcy’s flow law, the influence of parameters describing non-linearity of soft soil on consolidation behavior with non-Darcian flow has no significant change.