One-dimensional consolidation analysis of normally consolidated soft clays under vibratory loads

This study introduces a novel methodology to address consolidation under long-term cyclic loading. The approach simplifies analysis by neglecting cyclic load induced fluctuations and by decomposing the cyclic load into a static load and a vibratory load without net tensile or compressive tendency over time. One-dimensional vibration consolidation tests are proposed to investigate the consolidation behavior of normally consolidated soil under vibratory loading. These tests yield a normal vibration consolidation line, which visually represents the consolidation effect of a given vibratory load on normally consolidated soil under different consolidation pressures. Based on these test results, a mathematical model is developed. This model incorporates a constitutive relationship that accounts for both the decrease in effective stress due to the structural damage caused by the vibratory load and the increase in effective stress due to the compression of the soil skeleton. The governing equation, with void ratio and effective stress as dependent variables, comprehensively describes the state change process of soil elements during vibration consolidation. Numerical solutions are then employed to analyze this process in detail.