Analytical and Numerical Modelling of One-Dimensional Consolidation of Stabilized Peat

Abstract

The objective of the paper is to compare and evaluate analytical and numerical solutions of one-dimensional consolidation of stabilized peat. The type of analytical method used to solve the problem is exact method by separation of variables and utilization of Fourier series. Plaxis 2D 8.2 Professional version software was used to find numerical solution to the problem by employing the finite element method. One-dimensional consolidation problem of stabilized peat was solved numerically and validated with the one solved analytically based on laboratory experimental results. From the results, it was discovered that the consolidation characteristics of stabilized peat evaluated numerically were found to have close approximation to those evaluated analytically. There is a novel value in developing an accurate numerical prediction for the vertical consolidation of stabilized peat considering the complexity of the soil treatment method. It must be noted that peat is highly problematic because it is produced from plant decomposition with extremely high organic matter. 399 for 7 days before testing. It is notable that oedometer consolidation apparatus is sufficient for testing the stabilized soil due to the fact that the soil was homogeneously mixed with the binding admixtures and silica sand. As such, it could be reliably used to simulate the one-dimensional deformation and drainage characteristics of the stabilized soil as the soil dissipation of excess pore water pressure became less significant over time due to the cementation process in the stabilized soil. Furthermore, the equipment set up for oedometer testing is simple and not time consuming as compared to that of a more advanced equipment such as Rowe consolidometer. The complexity of Rowe consolidometer setup is evident in the published work of Baral et al. [18] which is about the study of radial consolidation characteristics of soft clay based on large specimens. To develop a proper understanding and to ensure the reliability of the test results, it would be helpful to back analyze and validate the experimental results based on the analytical equation with the ones developed from numerical solution using Plaxis 2D 8.2 Professional version software. As such, the paper is concentrated at evaluating the results of one-dimensional consolidation tests from standard oedometer consolidation apparatus, which were determined based on the idealization of analytical model and later, validating the results using the finite element software.

Consolidated Drained Triaxial Test on Treated Coastal Soil and Finite Element Analysis Using PLAXIS 2D

“…In fact, PLAXIS is a fnite element code for soil and rock analyses, originally developed for analyzing deformation and stability in geotechnical engineering and soil modelling techniques that have been developed rapidly over the last 20 years [9]. Te material model in PLAXIS simulation can be regarded as a qualitative representation of the behaviour of a sample, whereas the model parameters can be used to quantify the behaviour of the sample.…”

Numerical Analysis of One-Dimensional Consolidation in Fine-Grained Soils

“…It's difficult to solve the nonlinear consolidation using analytical solution, Zhuang Ying Chan [6] and Sheng-Feng Zou et al [7] gave some solutions of the problem using a semi analytic method, L Arabet [8], F Tounekti et al [9], M Klai et al [10] and Leong Sing Wong [11] gave a numerical solutions using Plaxis software [12]based on the 1-D consolidation theory of saturated soils.…”

Numerical Solution to One-dimensional Consolidation by the Finite Element Method

“…Karl von Terzaghi was among the first to develop an analytical theory to explain and predict the process in fine-grained soils [5]. Terzaghi's one-dimensional (1D) consolidation theory for saturated soils, assumed that the stress-strain relationship of soil is linear in order to simplify the solution for practical use [6] and that the process of primary consolidation of a fully saturated soil is due to the dissipation of excess pore water pressure from the soil as a result of gradual transition of applied load from water to the soil particles. Under various assumptions, consolidation in a semi-infinite soil mass can be approximated as one-dimensional [7].…”