Analytical solution for one-dimensional nonlinear consolidation of layered soils with continuous drainage boundary

In order to study the influence of time effect of boundary drainage on consolidation process, the continuous drainage boundary is introduced to investigate the one-dimensional nonlinear consolidation problem of layered soils. The governing equations for the consolidation problem of layered soils under constant loading are established by introducing the nonlinear relationship between void ratio and effective stress. The analytical solutions of the excess pore water pressure and the average consolidation degrees defined by both settlement and excess pore water pressure of layered soils are derived. The correctness of the proposed solutions is verified by comparing with the finite difference solution and the existing analytical solution. Based on the proposed solution, the one-dimensional nonlinear behavior of layered soils is studied by a detailed parametric study. The results show that, the consolidation behaviors of the layered soils are greatly affected by the interface parameter of drainage boundary, and the consolidation rate increases as the interface parameter increases. Under the condition of continuous drainage boundary, the average consolidation degree defined by settlement increases with the increase of effective stress ratio, but the average consolidation degree defined by excess pore water pressure decreases with the increase of effective stress ratio.