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Solution of one-dimensional finite-strain consolidation of soil with variable

compressibility under cyclic loadings

Article  in  Computers and Geotechnics · January 2007

DOI: 10.1016/j.compgeo.2006.08.008

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 Computers and Geotechnics 34 (2007) 31–40
www.elsevier.com/locate/compgeo

Solution of one-dimensional finite-strain consolidation of soil

with variable compressibility under cyclic loadings
Yuan-Qiang Cai *, Xue-Yu Geng, Chang-Jie Xu
Institute of Geotechnical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, PR China

Received 31 August 2005; received in revised form 28 August 2006; accepted 29 August 2006
Available online 27 October 2006

Abstract

Based on Gibson’s governing equation for one-dimensional finite-strain consolidation of a saturated thick soil layer, a simple semi-
analytical method is developed to solve the problem of one-dimensional consolidation by taking into account the varied compressibility
of soil under cyclic loadings. The solution in the transformed domain is obtained using the method of Laplace transforms. Thereafter a
numerical inverting procedure is applied to study the behaviors in the time domain. The variation of soil compressibility during com-
pression and rebound is paid special attention, and a computer program has been written that enables this facet of soil behavior to
be accounted for. The technique used is numerically stable and has proved accurate in predicting consolidation settlements and the dis-
tribution of void ratios within soil layers.
Ó 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Finite-strain; Consolidation; Compressibility; Cyclic loading; Laplace transform

1. Introduction consolidated soil layers have been made available by

The hypotheses of Terzaghi consolidation theory are
oversimplified for many situations. In the original Terzaghi
formulation it was not clear which coordinate system was
used, and the coefficients of hydraulic conductivity and
compressibility were assumed constant [1–4]. Moreover,
small strain theory is only partly satisfied [5]. Because of
these shortcomings, there has been a growing interest in
consolidation theory [6–18]. In the last three decades, a
number of investigators have advanced the theoretical
development of the one-dimensional large strain consolida-
tion of soft soils. Gibson et al. [6,9] proposed a comprehen-
sive one-dimensional finite-strain model that took into
account changes of compressibility and permeability dur-
ing consolidation. Recently, explanations of the limiting
factors for both initially unconsolidated and initially fully
*
Corresponding author. Tel./fax: +86 571 8795 2619.
E-mail address: caiyq@zju.edu.cn (Y.-Q. Cai).
Morris [17,18].
In geotechnical engineering practice, soil beneath many
structures undergo complicated cyclic loadings (such as
infilling and discharging a silo or a tank, highway embank-
ments, ocean banks, etc.). Soil reactions under these kinds
of complicated loadings are examined as a diffusion process
over time. For the various loading conditions, many solu-
tions have been developed for the classical one-dimensional
small strain consolidation problems: Schiffman [19] first
obtained a general solution of consolidation considering
loadings that increases linearly with time. Based on
Terzaghi’s consolidation theory, Wilson and Elgohary
[20] presented an analytical solution for the one-dimen-
sional consolidation of a saturated soil that was subjected
to cyclic loading. Similarly, Alonso and Krizek [21] consid-
ered the settlement of elastic soft soil under stochastic
loading. Olson [22] also analyzed soil consolidation under
time-dependent loading. Baligh and Levadoux [23] devel-
oped a simple prediction method for elastic and inelastic
soil layer behavior, in which the soil layer, initially in a nor-
mally consolidated state, is subjected to cyclic rectangular

0266-352X/$ - see front matter Ó 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.compgeo.2006.08.008
32 Y.-Q. Cai et al. / Computers and Geotechnics 34 (2007) 31–40

loading. Favaretti and Soranzo [24] derived solutions for The Lagrangian coordinate z and time t are independent
different types of cyclic loadings. However, to the authors’ variables, while the convective coordinate n is a variable
knowledge, no solution for the problem of finite-strain depending on z and t: n = n(z, t). The relationship between
consolidation under complicated cyclic loading conditions z and n is given by Gibson et al. [9].
has previously been presented.
on 1þe
When a soil layer is subjected to cyclic loadings, the soil ¼ ð1Þ
strata compress and rebound. Because saturated soils are oz 1 þ e0
two-phase composite materials consisting of solid particles where e = e(z, t) is the void ratio of the clay layer;
and pore fluid, they have different compressibility charac- e0 = e0(z, 0) is the initial void ratio.
teristics. When load is applied, the effective stress is
increased which results in soil compression, but this process
is not simply reversed on unloading. During unloading, the 3. Equations and solutions
soil rebounds in the upper layer near the pervious bound-
ary, while the lower part of the soil near the impervious Because the upper boundary convective coordinate
boundary remains compressed. It is consequently necessary condition is dependent on an unknown surface settlement
to distinguish between the compressing part and rebound- S(0, t), the solution process in convective coordinates is
ing part of the soil in the analysis so that the compressibil- not straightforward. The equations in Lagrangian
ity can be modeled appropriately. coordinates, which are based on Gibson (9), are more
We examine this problem based on Gibson’s linearized tractable so are preferred for this analysis and follow
governing equation for one-dimensional finite-strain con- as
     
solidation. The Laplace transform is applied to derive the cs d kðeÞ oe o kðeÞ dr0 oe oe
solution for the consolidation of saturated soft soils under  1 þ þ ¼0
cw de 1 þ e oz oz cw ð1 þ eÞ de oz ot
cyclic loadings and under the influence of variable com-
ð2Þ
pressibility. Some examples of the numerical inversion of
the Laplace transform are presented to demonstrate the where cs is the unit weight of soils, cw is the unit weight of
reliability of the proposed method and its applications. water; e is the void ratio, k is the vertical permeability of
soil, z is the vertical material co-ordinate measured down-
2. Coordinate systems wards from the top of the soil layer, r 0 is the vertical effec-
tive stress and t is time.
In Eulerian coordinate systems, material deformation is The natural and material co-ordinates are related by
related to planes fixed in space. Difficulties arise if the [1–3]:
deformation is large compared with the thickness of the Z n
1
compressible layer. The alternative system convection with z¼ dx ð3Þ
the material particles which has its origins in the work of 0 ½1 þ e0 ðxÞ
Gibson et al. [9] is introduced here. where n is the natural vertical co-ordinate and e0(x) is the e
Fig. 1 shows a saturated clay layer of initial thickness H at t = 0.
with the bottom fixed and referenced to both the Lagrang- The highly non-linear nature of Eq. (2) presents difficul-
ian and the convective coordinate systems. The Lagrangian ties. It can be reduced to a linear form by introducing some
coordinate z and the convective coordinate n are measured assumptions for g and k while preserving the essential non-
downwards in the direction of gravity. The convective linearity of the soil permeability and compressibility [9].
coordinate n has its origin at the top surface of the clay Thus
layer, the datum plane.
kðeÞ or0
gðeÞ ¼  ð4Þ
cw ð1 þ eÞ oe
 
d de
kðeÞ ¼  ð5Þ
z=0 Datum Plane(ξ = 0) de dr0

a z=0 ξ = S(0,t) where g(e) is the finite-strain coefficient of consolidation

ξ and k(e) is the linearization constant.
H The substitution of Eqs. (4) and (5) into Eq. (2) yields
p0
S(z,t) o2 e oe 1 oe
p þ kðcs  cw Þ ¼ ð6Þ
oz2 oz g ot
z=H z=H ξ =H
The parameter g is related to the small strain coefficient of
Z ξ consolidation cv by [9]:
cv
Fig. 1. Lagrangian and convective coordinates: (a) initial configuration at g¼ 2
ð7Þ
t = 0; (b) configuration at time t. ð1 þ eÞ
 Y.-Q. Cai et al. / Computers and Geotechnics 34 (2007) 31–40 33

Integration of Eq. (5) gives [9]: Taking Laplace transforms of Eqs. (16)–(19) gives
C1 oE2 
oE
e¼ þ C 2 expðkr0 Þ ð8Þ þN 
¼ S  EðZ; 
SÞ  EðZ; 0Þ ð21Þ
k oZ 2
oZ
where C1 and C2 are the integral constants. 
EðZ; 0Þ ¼ ð1  BÞ expðNZÞ þ B if 0 6 Z 6 1 ð22Þ
e00 = e at r 0 = 0 and e1 = e at r 0 = 1 [12]. Application  
 ¼ ð1  BÞQðSÞ
Eð0; SÞ ¼ R þ B=S; ð23Þ
of the boundary conditions to Eq. (8) gives
 SÞ ¼ ðR
Eð1;   BÞ expðN Þ þ B ; ðfor double drainageÞ
e ¼ ðe00  e1 Þ expðkr0 Þ þ e1 ð9Þ S S
To obtain solutions for Eq. (6), it is convenient to con- ð24aÞ
vert it into a normalized, dimensionless form [9]. The 
oEð1; SÞ  SÞ  B ¼ 0 ðfor single drainageÞ
þ N ½Eð1;
required parameters are defined as oZ
eðz; tÞ ð24bÞ
EðZ; T Þ ¼ ð10Þ   is
eð0; 0Þ where EðZ; SÞ is the Laplace transform of E(Z, T), R
z 
the Laplace transform of R, and QðSÞ is the Laplace
Z¼ ð11Þ
H transform of Q(T), and r00 is the initial vertical effective
gt stress.
T ¼ 2 ð12Þ
H The solution of Eq. (21) is
N ¼ kH ðcs  cw Þ ð13Þ    ðZ; SÞ
EðZ; SÞ ¼ m1 expða1 ZÞ þ m2 expða2 ZÞ þ E ð25Þ
e1   ðZ; SÞ is the particular solution of Eq. (21).
B¼ ð14Þ in which E pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
eð0; 0Þ
N þ N 2 þ4S N  N 2 þ4S
where a1 ¼ 2
, and a 2 ¼ 2
and
eð0; tÞ 3.1. Double drainage solution
R¼ ð15Þ
eð0; 0Þ
The substitution of Eqs. (22)–(24a) into Eq. (25) yields
where E is the normalized e, Z is the dimensionless vertical
material coordinate, T is the dimensionless time factor, N is   1=SÞ½expðN Þ  expða2 Þ
ð1  BÞðQ
m1 ¼ ;
the dimensionless governing equation parameter, B is the expða1 Þ  expða2 Þ
normalized void ratio e at r 0 = 1, R is the normalized void   1=SÞ½expða1 Þ  expðN Þ
ð1  BÞðQ
ratio e at z = 0, and H is the height of soil layer in material m2 ¼
expða1 Þ  expða2 Þ
coordinates.
 
and E ðZ; SÞ ¼ ½ð1  BÞ expðNZÞ þ B=S: ð26aÞ
Substitution of Eqs. (10)–(13) into Eq. (6) yields
o2 E oE oE
2
þN ¼ ð16Þ 3.2. Single drainage solution
oZ oZ oT
Consideration is given to a layer of soil with drainage at The substitution of Eqs. (22)–(24b) into Eq. (25)
the top and the bottom (or drained at the top only) that is yields
initially fully consolidated and in equilibrium under both
ð1  BÞðQ   1=SÞða2 þ N Þ expða2 Þ
its self-weight and a vertical effective stress acting on its m1 ¼ ;
upper surface. The initial, final, and upper and lower ða2 þ N Þ expða2 Þ  ða1 þ N Þ expða1 Þ
boundary conditions to be applied to Eq. (16) are, ð1  BÞðQ   1=SÞða1 þ N Þ expða1 Þ
m2 ¼
respectively: ða1 þ N Þ expða1 Þ  ða2 þ N Þ expða2 Þ
EðZ; 0Þ ¼ ð1  BÞ expðNZÞ þ B ¼ E0 if 0 6 Z 6 1 ð17Þ and E   ðZ; SÞ ¼ ½ð1  BÞ expðNZÞ þ B=S: ð26bÞ
Eð0; T Þ ¼ ð1  BÞQðT Þ þ B ¼ R if T > 0 ð18Þ The solution for E(Z, T) is obtained by applying the
inverse Laplace transform of Eq. (25):
Eð1; T Þ ¼ ðR  BÞ expðN Þ þ B if T > 0 Z aþi1
ðfor double drainageÞ ð19aÞ 1 
EðZ; T Þ ¼ EðZ; SÞ expðST Þ dS ð27Þ
oEð1; T Þ 2pi ai1
þ N ½Eð1; T Þ  B ¼ 0 if T > 0 pffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
oZ where i ¼ 1. When EðZ;  SÞ is complicated, the analyt-
ðfor single drainageÞ ð19bÞ ical solution of Eq. (27) is very difficult to obtain. How-
ever, Durbin [25] has extensively studied the numerical
and inversion of Laplace transforms (NILT). NILT is adopted
EðZ; 1Þ ¼ ðR  BÞ expðNZÞ þ B if 0 6 Z 6 1 ð20Þ in the following analysis. The influences of the soil param-
eters on the change of void ratio E(Z, T) are also
where QðT Þ ¼ expfk½r00 þ qðT Þg. discussed.
34 Y.-Q. Cai et al. / Computers and Geotechnics 34 (2007) 31–40

1
0
4. Typical cyclic loadings and their Laplace transforms 2
exp  N4T
U ðT Þ ¼ 1  2p2 N @ A
4.1. Suddenly-imposed constant loading 1  expðN Þ
8 h i2 9
X1 <n2 1 þ ð1Þnþ1 expð N2 Þ expðn2 p2 T Þ>
> =
The imposed loading is (Fig. 2 (a)):
  h i2
0 if T ¼ 0 >
n¼1;2;3... : N 2 >
;
þ ðnpÞ2
qðT Þ ¼ ð28Þ 2
q if T > 0
ðfor double drainageÞ ð34Þ
Hence
 For the limiting case of N = 0, Eq. (31) reduces to
expðkr00 Þ if T ¼ 0 1 
QðT Þ ¼ ð29Þ 2 X 1
expðkr00  kqÞ if T > 0 EðZ; T Þ ¼ R þ ð1  RÞ ½1 þ ð1Þnþ1 
p n¼1;2;3
n
The Laplace transform of Eq. (28) is 
  sinðnpZÞ expðn2 p2 T Þ ð35Þ
expðkr00 Þ=S;
QðSÞ ¼ ð30Þ
expðkr00  kqÞ=S; and Eq. (34) reduces to
1  
The substitution of the above expressions into Eq. (25) 8 X 1

gives the desired solution for EðZ; SÞ, and after applying U ðT Þ ¼ 1  2 expðn2 p2 T Þ ð36Þ
p n¼1;3;5 p2
an inversion of the Laplace transform to E  ðZ; S Þ it yields
the following analytical solution. This equation is identical with the classical Terzaghi’s solu-
  tion. While Eqs. (31) and (35) are identical with the corre-
NZ N 2 T
EðZ; T Þ ¼ ðR  BÞ expðNZÞ þ B þ ð1 þ RÞ exp   sponding equations derived by Morris [17].
2 4
h  N i
nþ1
X1 2pn 1 þ ð1Þ exp  2 sinðnpZÞ expðn2 p2 T Þ

 4.2. Ramp loading
n¼1;2;3...
N2
2
þ ðnpÞ2
ðfor double drainageÞ ð31Þ The imposed loading is (Fig. 2 (b)):
q
The non-dimensional settlement S can be defined as T if 0 6 T 6 T c
qðT Þ ¼ T c ð37Þ
[9]: q if T c 6 T
Z 1 Hence
SðT Þ ¼ ½EðZ; 0Þ  EðZ; T ÞdZ ð32Þ ( h i
0 exp kðr00 þ Tqc T Þ if 0 6 T 6 T c
QðT Þ ¼ ð38Þ
and the finite-strain degree of consolidation U is defined by
expðkr00  kqÞ if T c 6 T
[9]:
R1 The Laplace transform of Eq. (38) is
½EðZ; 0Þ  EðZ; T ÞdZ
U ðT Þ ¼ R 10 ð33Þ expðkr0  kq  ST c Þ 0
½EðZ; 0Þ  EðZ; 1ÞdZ 
QðSÞ ¼
0 S
The substitution of Eqs. (17), (20) and (31) into Eq. (33) T c ½expðkq  ST c Þ  1 expðkr00 Þ
 ð39Þ
leads to the solution for U(T). kq þ ST c

q(T)
q(T) q(T)
a b c
q q q

0 T 0 T 0 3T 0 4T 0 5T 0 T
Tc T0 2T 0

q(T) q(T)
d e
q q

0 T 0 5T 0 T
T0 2T 0 3T 0 4T 0 T0 2T 0 3T 0 4T 0

Fig. 2. Load cases considered.

 Y.-Q. Cai et al. / Computers and Geotechnics 34 (2007) 31–40 35

where Tc is the dimensionless construction time The Laplace transform of Eq. (44) is
factor. 0 0
expðkr0 ÞT 0 ½expðST 0  kr0 Þ  1

QðSÞ ¼
½1  expð2ST 0 Þðkr00  ST 0 Þ
4.3. Rectangular loading
expðkr00  2kqÞT 0 ½expð2kq  2ST 0 Þ  expðkq  ST 0 Þ
þ
The imposed loading is (Fig. 3 (c)): ½1  expð2ST 0 Þðkq  ST 0 Þ
 ð45Þ
q if 0 6 T 6 T 0
qðtÞ ¼
0 if T 0 6 T 6 2T 0 ð40Þ
4.5. Trapezoidal loading
qðT þ 2T 0 Þ ¼ qðT Þ
Hence The imposed loading is (Fig. 2 (e)):
(  8q
exp kr00  kq if 0 6 T 6 T 0 > T; if 0 6 T 6 T 0
>
> T0
QðT Þ ¼  < q if T 0 6 T 6 2T 0
exp kr00 if T 0 6 T 6 2T 0 ð41Þ qðT Þ ¼ q
>
> ð3T 0  T Þ if 2T 0 6 T 6 3T 0 ð46Þ
QðT þ 2T 0 Þ ¼ QðT Þ >
: T0
0 if 3T 0 6 T 6 4T 0
The Laplace transform of Eq. (41) is
qðT þ 4T 0 Þ ¼ qðT Þ
expðkr00  kqÞ þ expðkr00  ST 0 Þ
QðSÞ ¼ ð42Þ Hence 8
S½expðST 0 Þ þ 1
>
> exp½kðr00 þ qT Þ if 0 6 T 6 T 0
where T0 is the dimensionless cyclic time factor. >
>
T0
< exp½kðr0 þ qÞ if T 0 6 T 6 2T 0
0
QðT Þ ¼
4.4. Triangular loading >
> exp½kðr 0 qT
0 þ 3q  T 0 Þ if 2T 0 6 T 6 3T 0
>
>
:
expðkr00 Þ if 3T 0 6 T 6 4T 0
The imposed loading is (Fig. 2 (d)): QðT þ 4T 0 Þ ¼ QðT Þ
(q
T
T if 0 6 T 6 T 0 ð47Þ
qðT Þ ¼ q0
T0
ð2T 0  T Þ if T 0 6 T 6 2T 0 ð43Þ The Laplace transform of Eq. (47) is
qðT þ 2T 0 Þ ¼ qðT Þ  expðkr00 ÞT 0 ½expðkq  ST 0 Þ  1

QðSÞ ¼ þT0
Hence ðkq þ ST 0 Þ½1  expð4ST 0 Þ
8 h
i exp½kðr00 þ 3qÞ½expð3kq  3ST 0 Þ  expð2kq  2ST 0 Þ
>
< exp k r00 þ qT if 0 6 T 6 T 0 
T0 ðkq  ST 0 Þ½1  expð4ST 0 Þ
Q ðT Þ ¼ h
i
>
: exp k r0 þ 2q  qT
0 expðkr00  kq  ST 0 Þ þ expðkr00  3ST 0 Þ
T0
if T 0 6 T 6 2T 0 þ
S½1 þ expð2ST 0 Þ½1 þ expðST 0 Þ
QðT þ 2T 0 Þ ¼ QðT Þ ð48Þ
ð44Þ
5. Examples and discussion

0.0
This section is limited to double drainage examples only.
Terzaghi's result
Solutions of Morris [17] 5.1. Consolidation under suddenly-imposed constant loading
0.2 Method in this paper
Solutions obtained by the numerical method presented
Degree of consolidation U

N=6
here compared well with the corresponding analytical solu-
0.4
N=2 tions of Morris [17] for representative N values in Fig. 3.
N = 10
The parameters of the soil layer are taken from Ref. [17].
0.6 From Fig. 3 it is notable that the degree of consolidation
at a given T depends on the parameter N. Also soil layers
with larger N consolidate faster. The discrepancy between
0.8
these solutions and those of Terzaghi’s increases with
increasing N.
1.0 Figs. 4–6 show the effects of the variation of N, R, and B
1E-3 0.01 0.1 1 10 during constant loading. The soil layer parameters are
Dimensionless time factor T
taken from Ref. [9]. The figures show that for the same
Fig. 3. U–T curves for constant loading. Z, when other parameters remain unchanged, larger B
36 Y.-Q. Cai et al. / Computers and Geotechnics 34 (2007) 31–40

0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0 and R values lead to larger E values. However, larger N
0.0
values yield smaller E values.
T = 0. 076
R = 0.5 5.2. Consolidation under ramp loading and cyclic loadings
Dimensionless reduced coordinate Z

0.2
N = 1.0
The influence of relevant parameters on consolidation is
0.4
B=0
due to the ramp loading and cyclic loadings. These param-
B = 0.5 eters of saturated soil were studied using the following val-
0.6 B = 1.0 ues: thickness of soil layer of 10 m, an initial vertical
effective stress r00 of 0 kPa, a dimensionless cyclic time fac-
tor T0 of 0.01, the unit weight of soils cs of 18 kPa, and a B
0.8 value of 0.389.
Fig. 7 shows consolidation curves for the ramp loading.
The degree of consolidation at a given T depends on k, as it
1.0
0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0 does under constant load. It is also related to the parameter
Normalized void ratio E Tc, which is different from the constant loading case. Fig. 7
shows consolidation occurs with decreasing Tc.
Fig. 4. Isochrones of normalized void ratio at U = 0.5 for different B
values under constant loading.

0.0
0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0 -1
0.0 λ 1 = 0.125 (kPa )
N = 2.0, T = 0.055 Tc=0.05
B = 0, R = 0.5 0.2
N = 1.5, T = 0.076 B = 0.389 -1
λ 1 = 0.125 (kPa )
Dimensionless reduced coordinate Z

N = 1.0, T = 0.104
Degree of consolidation U

0.2 q = 10.0 (kPa)

N = 0.5, T = 0.144 Tc=0.03
N = 0.0, T = 0.197 0.4

0.4
-1
0.6 λ 1 = 0.00625 (kPa )
Tc= 0.05
0.6 -1
λ 1 = 0.0625 (kPa )
0.8 Tc= 0.05
-1
0.8 λ 1 = 0.0625 (kPa )
Tc= 0.03
1.0
1E-3 0.01 0.1 1
1.0
0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0 Dimensionless time factor T
Normalized Void Ratio E
Fig. 7. U–T curves for ramp loading.
Fig. 5. Isochrones of normalized void ratio at U = 0.5 for different N
values under constant loading.

0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0
0.0
Dimensionless reduced coordinate Z

0.2

0.4 T = 0.104
B = 0.0
N = 1.0
0.6
λ2
R=0
0.8 R = 0.5 λ1
R = 0.99

1.0
0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0
Normalized void ratio E(Z,T)
σ′
Fig. 6. Isochrones of normalized void ratio at U = 0.5 for different R
values under constant loading. Fig. 8. Void ratio vs. effective stress relationships.
 Y.-Q. Cai et al. / Computers and Geotechnics 34 (2007) 31–40 37

As noted in the introduction, the compressibility of soil ison of the settlement Sk(Z, T) at time Tk with Sk+1(T, Z)at
subjected to cyclic loading changes frequently. These time Tk+1. For example, when Sk+1(Z, T) P Sk(Z, T), it
changes are illustrated in Fig. 8. When saturated soil is means the soil is loaded (along line AB, as shown in
loaded, the effective stress at every point increases and Fig. 8). When it rebounds (along CD), Sk+1(Z, T) must
the soil is compressed, but this process is not simply be smaller than Sk(Z, T). The same applies to the void ratio
reversed when the soil is unloaded. The change of settle- E(Z, T).
ment S(Z, T) lags behind the cyclic loadings. In any given Baligh and Levadoux [23] have given a solution for the
cycle, the settlement reaches a maximum value approxi- consolidation of a soil layer that is subjected to cyclic
mately at the end of the loading phase, and a minimum square loading (also called rectangular loading) at the
value approximately at the end of unloading. This phenom- end of half-cycles. It is based on the assumptions of Ter-
enon is well expressed in Fig. 9 which is based on Eq. (32). zaghi’s theory. Fig. 10 compares the results of this study
Thus, it is necessary to pay special attention to the actual to those of Baligh and Levadoux (Eq. (5). and (6)). Results
compressibility of soil, which can be identified by compar- show that the amplitude of the degree of consolidation

0.00 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10 0.12

Triangular loading
Trapezoidal loading

0.000

0.002
Normalized settlement S

0.004

0.006

λ 1 = 0.125
0.008 λ 2 = 0.119
q = 1.0 (kPa)
0.010
0.00 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10 0.12
Dimensionless time factor T

Fig. 9. Non-dimensionalized settlement under cyclic loadings.

0.0
Baligh's result
λ 1 = 0.00625 λ 2 = 0.00580
0.1 This paper's result

0.2

0.3
Degree of consolidation U

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9
λ 1 = 0.025 λ 2 = 0.023 λ 1 = 0.0625 λ 2 = 0.0575
1.0
0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8
Dimensionless time factor T

Fig. 10. Degree of consolidation under rectangular loading.

38 Y.-Q. Cai et al. / Computers and Geotechnics 34 (2007) 31–40

under cyclic rectangular loading increases with the invers- 0.90

ing k and the discrepancies between the two solutions
increase with increasing k. 0.85
The non-dimensional settlement relationships over a

Normalized void ratio E

range of values of k under triangular and trapezoidal cyclic 0.80
loading are presented in Figs. 11 and 12, respectively. It can
be seen from these figures that the settlement induced by 0.75
trapezoidal cyclic loading is larger than that for triangular
cyclic loading. This occurs because under triangular load- 0.70 -1
ing the soil is under loading virtually all the time, while λ1 = 0.025 (kPa )
q = 1.0 (kPa)
for the trapezoidal loading there are significant periods λ 2 = 0.023 (kPa )
-1
q = 10.0 (kPa)
0.65
with zero load. The finite-strain consolidation of a satu- Z = 0.2 q = 20.0 (kPa)
rated soil under cyclic loading is thus essentially different
0.60
from that under constant loading. Consequently, soil con- 0.00 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.20 0.22 0.24 0.26
solidating under cyclic loading cannot be analyzed using Dimensionless time factor T
the conventional solution for constant loading.
Fig. 13. E–T curves for triangular cyclic loadings of different q.
The cyclic loading curves and E–T relationships with
different parameters (q, k, k1/k2) based on Eqs. (25)–(27)
are markedly different from those for constant loading 1.0
(Figs. 13–18). It can be seen from Figs. 13 and 16 that 0.9

0.8

0.08 0.7
Normalized void ratio E

Z = 0.2
λ 1 = 0.00625 λ 2 = 0.00580 0.6
0.07 q = 10.0 (kPa) q = 10.0 (kPa)
λ1 = 0.025 λ 2 = 0.023 0.5
0.06
λ 1 = 0.0625 λ 2 = 0.0575 0.4
Normalized settlement S

-1 -1
0.05 0.3 λ1 = 0.00625 (kPa ) λ 2 = 0.00580 (kPa )
-1 -1
0.04 0.2 λ 1 = 0.025 (kPa ) λ 2 = 0.023 (kPa )
-1 -1
0.1 λ 1 = 0.125 (kPa ) λ 2 = 0.119 (kPa )
0.03
0.0
0.02 0.00 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.20 0.22 0.24 0.26
Dimensionless time factor T
0.01
Fig. 14. E–T curves for triangular cyclic loadings of different k.
0.00
0.00 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.20 0.22 0.24 0.26
Dimensionless time factor T 0.55

Fig. 11. Non-dimensionalized settlement under triangular cyclic loading.

0.50
Normalized void ratio E

0.08 0.45

0.07
q = 10.0 (kPa) λ 1 = 0.00625 λ 2 = 0.00580 0.40
0.06 λ1 = 0.025 λ 2 = 0.023
q = 10.0
Normalized settlement S

λ 1 = 0.0625 λ 2 = 0.0575 0.35

0.05 Z = 0.2 λ 2/λ1 = 0.8
-1
λ 1= 0.125 (kPa ) λ 2/λ1 = 0.9
0.04 0.30
λ 2/λ 1 = 1.0
0.03
0.25
0.02 0.00 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.20 0.22 0.24 0.26
Dimensionless time factor T
0.01
Fig. 15. E–T curves for triangular cyclic loadings for different k2/k1.
0.00
0.00 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.20 0.22 0.24 0.26 the bigger the maximum value of the surcharge loading,
Dimensionless time factor T
the smaller the void ratio E, and that more cycles are
Fig. 12. Non-dimensionalized settlement under trapezoidal cyclic loading. needed to reach the steady-state under higher loading.
 Y.-Q. Cai et al. / Computers and Geotechnics 34 (2007) 31–40 39

0.90 soidally. This is essentially different from the behavior

under constant loading. Figs. 15 and 18 show that the influ-
0.85 ence of varying compressibility becomes increasingly more
significant as the ratio of k2/k1 decreases.
0.80
Normalized void ratio E

6. Conclusions
0.75
The numerical method developed in this paper can solve
0.70
the problem of one-dimensional finite-strain consolidation
λ1 = 0.025 (kPa )
-1 under cyclic loadings while accounting for variable com-
q = 1.0 (kPa) pressibility. The method is efficient and convenient for
-1
0.65 λ 2 = 0.023 (kPa ) q = 10.0 (kPa)
computation. The following conclusions can be drawn
Z = 0.2 q = 20.0 (kPa)
based on the results obtained:
0.60
0.00 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.20 0.22 0.24 0.26
Dimensionless time factor T 1. For constant loading, the degree of consolidation at a
given T depends on the parameter N only, and is inde-
Fig. 16. E–T curves for trapezoidal cyclic loadings for different q.
pendent of the parameters B and R. Soils with larger
N consolidate faster.
1.0 2. Under constant loading, for the same Z, when other
0.9 parameters remain unchanged, larger B and R values
lead to larger E values. However, larger N values yield
0.8
smaller E values.
0.7 3. Because saturated soil is a two-phase material, the
Normalized void ratio E

0.6 Z = 0.2 effects of loading are not simply reversed when the soil
0.5
q = 10.0 (kPa) is unloaded. The change of settlement lags cyclic
loading.
0.4
4. The settlement under trapezoidal cyclic loading is larger
0.3 -1
λ 1 = 0.00625 (kPa ) λ 2 = 0.00580 (kPa )
-1
than that under triangular cyclic loading. This is because
0.2 λ 1 = 0.025 (kPa )
-1
λ 2 = 0.023 (kPa )
-1 under triangular loading the soil is under load virtually
-1 -1
all the time, while under trapezoidal loading conditions
0.1 λ 1 = 0.125 (kPa ) λ 2 = 0.119 (kPa ) there are significant periods with zero load.
0.0 5. The void ratio E decreases with increasing surcharge
0.00 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.20 0.22 0.24 0.26
Dimensionless time factor T loading, but more loading cycles are required to reach
the final E under higher loading.
Fig. 17. E–T curves for trapezoidal cyclic loadings for different k. 6. As the value of the compressibility period k2/k1
increases, the influence of variable compressibility
0.55
becomes more significant.

0.50 Acknowledgement

Financial support from National Natural Science Foun-

Normalized void ratio E

0.45
dation of China (NSFC) under Approved No. 50478081 is
0.40 gratefully acknowledged.

λ 2/λ 1 = 0.8 References

0.35 q = 10.0 (kPa)
Z = 0.2 λ 2/λ 1 = 0.9
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