Total stress model of clay considering small strain characteristics

Abstract

Saturated soft clay has the characteristics of high compressibility, low strength, and high structural sensitivity. Its small strain characteristics have a significant impact on the deformation development and long-term bearing capacity of ocean engineering foundations. A total stress model for undrained cyclic loading of clay considering small strain characteristics was created based on the Overlay model. The proposed model was used to simulate the static or dynamic triaxial test results of over consolidated Chicago clay, remoulded normally consolidated Georgia kaolin, and normally consolidated clay Malaysia kaolin, respectively. The results verified that the model can simulate the static shear characteristics of clay. The model can also simulate the weakening of soil strength and strain accumulation under cyclic loading, and is suitable for analyzing the response of ocean engineering foundations under long-term cyclic loading.