Two-dimensional Axisymmetric nonlinear finite strain consolidation for reclaimed dredged material

Estimation for time rate consolidation of dredged deposits is considerably complicated when vertical drains are installed to enhance consolidation process of such a soft soil stratum because the vertical drains are commonly installed before self-weight consolidation is ceased. In this paper, two new methods have been proposed to take into account both vertical and radial drainage conditions during nonlinear finite strain self-weight consolidation of dredged soil deposits. That is the approaches are proposed to predict the self-weight consolidation behavior considering the vertical drain. For one-dimensional nonlinear finite strain consolidation in the vertical direction, the simplified Morris's analytical solution (2002) and the PSDDF analysis are adopted. On the other hand, to consider the radial drainage, the Barron's vertical drain theory (1948) is used. The overall average degree of self-weight consolidation of the dredged soil is estimated using the Carillo's formula (1942), in which both vertical and radial drainage are considered. A series of large-scale self-weight consolidation experiments being equipped with a vertical drain has been carried out to verify the analysis method proposed in this paper. The results of the new analysis methods are generally in agreement with those of the experiments.