Consolidation of Soils

LO1 (week 1):

• Formulation on the governing equation of 3D consolidation: balance laws and constitutive laws.

• Definition of initial conditions and boundary conditions.

LO2 (week 2,3):

• Analysis of geotechnical problems related to 1D consolidation (loading, excavation, pumping);

• Analysis of practical solutions to shorten the consolidation time (pre-loading, vertical drains, vacuum);

• Interpretation of the results and limitations of the 1D approximation.

LO3 (week 4,5):

• Extension of consolidation formulation to time dependent and cyclic loads;

• Implementation of numerical tool to solve 1D consolidation problems with time dependent and cyclic loads (e.g. Python, Matlab);

• Sensitivity analysis on the solution.

LO4 (week 6, 7):

• Extension to 2D/3D problems;

• Application of analytical solutions for 2D/3D coupled problems (e.g. shallow and deep foundations, tunnels)