Consolidation inverse analysis considering spatial variability and non-linearity of soil parameters

One-dimensional consolidation inverse analysis based on the stochastic nonlinear consolidation model (SNCM) is discussed in this study. The model is determined from the standard consolidation test results, and represents the non-linearity and spatial variability of the coefficient of volume compressibility and the coefficient of permeability simultaneously. Furthermore, the inverse analysis method is proposed on the basis of the SNCM and the finite element method mixed with the Monte Carlo simulation. Measured settlement and pore water pressure are used as observation data in the inverse analysis. The method is applied to the consolidation test results of kaolin clay, and its applicability is confirmed firstly. Then the inverse analysis of an actual soft ground is performed. Future consolidation behavior of the ground is predicted, and the spatial variability and the non-linearity of the consolidation parameters are identified. It is clarified in this study that complicated spatial variability and non-linearity of the consolidation parameters could be considered appropriately in the proposed inverse analysis method, and the method gives accurate prediction of consolidation behavior.