Approximate solution for one-dimensional consolidation of structured soils under time-dependent loading

Using simplified k-sigma' and mv-sigma' models, the approximate solution for one-dimensional consolidation of structured soils under time-dependent loading is obtained by transforming structured soils into double-layered soils with the gradually changing thickness of the upper and lower layers. The rationality of the approximate solution is verified by compared with a numerical solution. The results indicate that different changes of the permeability coefficient and volume compressibility coefficient of structured soil after failure produce different results. Under a fixed change of the consolidation coefficient, the greater the permeability coefficient decreases, the greater the average consolidation rate in terms of stress decreases, while the greater the coefficient of volume compressibility leads to the greater decrease of the average consolidation rate in terms of deformation; the average consolidation rate in terms of stress is greater than that in terms of deformation; furthermore, the greater increase of the coefficient of volume compressibility yields an increased gap between them.