Consolidation of Soft Clays

固结是一个过程，在这个过程中，随着时间的推移，土壤中的水分被挤出，从而减少了土壤体积。由此产生的问题涉及建筑物、油罐、路堤、填土和其他“结构”的随时间变化的沉降。对于采矿业的疏浚材料和废泥，问题通常是有大量的废物，我们希望通过固结过程将其浓缩到较小的体积。“设计”包括预测固结率，以便规划和有效利用充足的存储区域。经典分析涉及大量简化假设，且精度有限，需要使用“工程判断”来调整答案。在这项提案中，PI建议研究开发大应变、多方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地处置此类材料的问题能够得到现实的解决方案。

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.