One-dimensional large strain thaw consolidation using nonlinear effective stress–void ratio–hydraulic conductivity relationships

Abstract

A one-dimensional model for the consolidation of thawing soils is formulated in terms of large strain consolidation and heat transfer equations. The model integrates heat transfer due to conduction, phase change and advection. The hydro-mechanical behaviour is modelled by large strain consolidation theory. The equations are coupled in a moving boundary scheme developed in Lagrangian coordinates. Finite strains are allowed and nonlinear effective stressâ void ratioâ hydraulic conductivity relationships are proposed to characterize the thawing soil properties. Initial conditions and boundary conditions are presented with special consideration for the moving boundary condition at the thaw front developed in terms of large strain consolidation. The proposed model is applied and compared with small strain thaw consolidation theory in a theoretical working example of a thawing fine-grained soil sample. The modelling results are presented in terms of temperature, thaw penetration, settlements, void ratio and excess pore water pressures.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author