Analytical Solution for the Consolidation of a Composite Foundation Reinforced by an Impervious Column with an Arbitrary Stress Increment

On the basis of the axisymmetric consolidation model, the governing equation and the corresponding solution were developed for the consolidation of a composite foundation with an impervious column by incorporating an arbitrary stress increment. The consolidation behavior was then investigated as part of the parameter analysis for a composite foundation with an impervious column. The results show that the consolidation rate for a composite foundation with an impervious column was slower than that for a composite foundation with a granular column but was more rapid than that for a natural soil foundation. The consolidation rate accelerated with increasing values of the column-soil constrained modulus ratio or the top-to-bottom stress increment ratio and with decreasing values of the loading period or the radius ratio of the influence zone to the column. The column-soil total stress ratio increased with consolidation and approached the value of the column-soil constrained modulus ratio. (C) 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.