General analytical solutions for one-dimensional large strain consolidation of soft soils under electro-osmosis–surcharge preloading

In this study, the governing equation for one-dimensional large strain consolidation of soft soils under electro-osmosis–surcharge preloading is derived with some assumptions, and the general analytical solution is proposed for the first time by using the methods of algebraic transformation and separation variable. The expressions for the specific analytical solutions under several common cases in foundation treatment are developed. Besides, the correctness of the proposed analytical solutions is verified by comparing them with the existing analytical solutions and finite difference solution. Finally, based on the proposed analytical solutions, the effects of effective voltage Vm, the ratio of electro-osmosis (EO) conductivity to hydraulic conductivity ke/kv and volume compressibility coefficient mv1 on the consolidation behaviors are analyzed. It is found that the increase of Vm increases the absolute values of excess pore water pressure (EPWP) and hence the settlement increases. Furthermore, the increasing ratio of ke/kv leads to larger absolute values of EPWP generated in the soil, resulting in an increase of settlement. The consolidation degree Us defined by settlement based on small strain and large strain models decreases with the increase of mv1, and both the differences of Us and settlement between the two consolidation theories increase with the increase of mv1. In conclusion, the proposed analytical solution is simple in form and practical, which can be adopted to analyze the one-dimensional large strain consolidation behaviors under electro-osmosis–surcharge preloading.