Analytical Solution for One-Dimensional Nonlinear Consolidation of Saturated Double-Layered Soil Subjected to Cyclic Loadings

Cyclic loading-induced consolidation behavior of soft soil is of great interest for the analysis of offshore and onshore structures. In this study, an analytical solution for one-dimensional (1D) nonlinear consolidation of saturated double-layered soil under various types of cyclic loadings such as trapezoidal cyclic loading, rectangular cyclic loading, and triangular cyclic loading was derived. The proposed solution was subsequently degenerated into solutions for special cases and compared to the existing solutions. The degenerate solutions show good agreement with the existing results, which proves that the proposed solutions are more general ones for 1D nonlinear consolidation of saturated soils under time-dependent loading. Finally, a comprehensive parametric study was conducted to investigate the influences of different layer parameters, drainage conditions, and loading parameters on nonlinear consolidation of saturated double-layered soil under cyclic loadings.

The Influence of Permeability on the Propagation Characteristics of the Waves in Different Saturated Soils

The permeability of saturated soils has great influence on the velocities and attenuation characteristics of fast compressional wave P1, low compressional wave P2, and shear wave S in saturated soils, respectively. In three different cases, namely zero, finite, and infinite permeability, the wave equations and theoretical velocities of P1, P2, and S wave in saturated soils are given based on the u-w-p equation, respectively. According to the solutions of the wave equations, the real velocities and attenuation coefficients of three waves are redefined, respectively. In different saturated soils, the influences of the permeability and the loading frequency on the wave velocities and attenuation are discussed, respectively. Moreover, the suitable application scope of the u-p equation is discussed based on different permeabilities and loading frequencies.