Model for large strain consolidation based on exponential flow law

Abstract

Numerous experiments have shown that there is an exponential form of non-Darcy flow in fine-grained soils. A numerical model, referred to as CNDF1 (Consolidation with Non-Darcy Flow 1), is developed for the one-dimensional large strain consolidation of a saturated porous medium with the exponential flow law. The algorithm accounts for vertical strain, general constitutive relationships, the relative velocity of the fluid and solid phases, changing compressibility and hydraulic conductivity during consolidation, time-dependent loading, unload/reload, and nonlinear flow law. Verification of the CNDF1 model shows excellent accuracy for both small strain and large strain consolidation. According to the applicable conditions of the exponential flow law, the CNDF1 model is most suitable for soft clay strata. The development of CNDF1 is first presented, followed by examples to illustrate the effects of the exponential flow on the consolidation behaviour.

Keywords:

• Saturated porous media
• exponential flow law
• large strain consolidation
• time-dependent loading
• unload/reload
• numerical model

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51278217), and the support is gratefully acknowledged.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notations

The following symbols are adopted in this paper