New simplified method for calculating consolidation settlement of clayey soils exhibiting creep and its verification

There are two possible extreme opinions in terms of Hypotheses A and B: Hypothesis A assumes that creep occurs after the consolidation for both laboratory specimen and in-situ condition, whereas Hypothesis B assumes creep occurs during and after the “primary” consolidation. A new simplified method is proposed to calculate the consolidation settlement of clayey soils with creep subjected to the multi-staged ramp loading. The parameters of the new simplified method have the clear physical meanings, and it is easy to be used. With the help of the “equivalent time” concept, both normally consolidated state and over-consolidated state of clayey soils can be considered in the new simplified method. A typical project in Sweden was selected as a multilayered soil profile. The calculated results of the new simplified method offer a good estimation of the settlement by comparing with the results from the finite element analysis and 46 years’ recorded settlement data.