Semi-analytical solution of consolidation for composite ground

A number of consolidation solutions of composite ground which ignores the nonlinear character of soft soil and columns have been derived. In this paper, the e-log sigma' and e-log k relationship is used to describe the stress-strain and strain-permeability coefficient relationship of soft soil. The nonlinear compressive character of stone columns is considered. With the assumption that the initial stresses of soil and columns increase linearly along the depth, a semi-analytical method by dividing the computing unit and segmenting the consolidation time is introduced, and some nonlinear consolidation properties of composite ground are analyzed. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.