Two-Dimensional Consolidation Beneath Time- Dependent Uniform Strip Loading

This paper presents a study of the two-dimensional consolidation of a homogeneous clay layer subjected to time-dependent uniform strip loading. The solution was developed for the case of Impermeable Footing and Impermeable Bottom of the clay layer, for both the isotropic and cross-anisotropic cases of permeability using the Alternating Direction Implicit technique. Design charts for the average degree of consolidation for different relative layer thicknesses namely1,2,5 and 10 were produced. For each relative layer thickness, charts were obtained for various construction time factors of Tc = 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5,1, 2, 5 and 10. The design charts were devoted to four permeability ratios, namely 1,5,10 and 25.The paper reveals that the effect of anisotropy on the average degree of consolidation at the end of construction period, is more pronounced during shorter construction periods than during long ones. The time factor for 50% consolidation decreases with increasing cross-anisotropic permeability and relative layer thickness.

Two-Dimensional Consolidation Beneath Time- Dependent Uniform Strip Loading Keywords:

Anisotropic permeability , consolidation under time dependent loading , strip footing , two-dimensional consolidation , Terzaghi-Rendulic consolidation