Semi-analytical solutions to the one-dimensional consolidation for double-layered unsaturated ground with a horizontal drainage layer

In order to accelerate the consolidation rate of double-layered unsaturated ground with poor hydraulic conductivity, the sand blanket is always set between two adjacent unsaturated soil layers to produce drainage paths along the horizontal direction in practical engineering. Based on the one-dimensional consolidation theory of unsaturated soil proposed by Fredlund and Hassan(1979), the semi-analytical solutions of excess pore-air and pore-water pressures, and settlement of the double-layered unsaturated ground with the horizontal drainage blanket are obtained by Laplace transform technique in this paper. Additionally, the current solutions can degenerate into those under the single-layered unsaturated model, which are then utilized to compare with existing solutions in literature, the significant agreement indicates that the present solutions are reliable and general. At last, a case study is adopted to investigate the influence of the vertical position of the drainage blanket, and permeability coefficients ratio of two adjacent soil layers on the consolidation of the double-layered unsaturated ground. Results show that the horizontal drainage layer will effectively accelerate the consolidation process, and the setting depth of 0.7H works best. Moreover, the smaller the ratio of the permeability coefficient of the upper layer to that of the lower layer (with the permeability coefficient of the upper layer remaining constant), the faster consolidation will develop.