Consolidation of Soft Clays

固结是一个过程，在这个过程中，水作为时间的函数从土壤中挤出，从而导致土壤体积的减少。由此产生的问题包括建筑物、储罐、堤防、填充物和其他“结构”的随时间沉降。对于来自采矿业的疏浚材料和废物“泥”，问题通常是我们希望通过固结过程将大量的废物集中到较小的体积。“设计”包括预测整合率，以便对充足的存储区域进行规划和有效利用。经典的分析包含了非常简单的假设，并且准确度有限，需要使用“工程判断”来调整答案。在该提案中，PI建议研究开发考虑大应变，多向水流和其他此类影响的分析方法，从而使涉及有效和经济处理此类材料的问题的现实解决方案成为可能。

Consolidation is a process in which water is squeezed out of soils as a function of time, with a resultant reduction in soil volume. The resulting problems involve time dependent settlement of buildings, tanks, embankments, fills, and other "structures." In case of dredged materials and waste "slimes" from the mining industry, the problem is usually that there are huge quantities of waste material that we wish to concentrate to a smaller volume through the consolidation process. "Design" involves predicting the rate of consolidation so ample storage areas can be planned and used efficiently. Classical analyses involve grossly simplifying assumptions and have limited accuracy, requiring that the answers be adjusted using "engineering judgment." In this proposal, the PI proposes research to develop analytical methods that account for large strains, multidirectional water flow, and other such effects, thus allowing realistic solutions to problems involving efficient and economical disposal of such materials.