Analytical solution for radial consolidation of combined electroosmosis-vacuum-surcharge preloading considering free strain and cyclic loading

In this study, electro-osmotic consolidation considering smear effect and free strain under cyclic loading was investigated. The analytical solution of radial consolidation of electroosmosis-vacuum-surcharge combined preloading is derived by using the Bessel function and eigenfunction methods. Subsequently, the effectiveness of the proposed method is validated through comparison with existing numerical solutions. Based on the derived solutions, the influence of the smear effect, applied voltage, vacuum pressure, and cyclic loading on soil consolidation characteristics was analyzed. The results showed that the smearing effect slows the rate of consolidation, but the final average consolidation and negative excess pore water pressure are enhanced. Compared with only cyclic loading, the combined effect of electroosmosis, vacuum, and surcharge preloading enables the soil to achieve higher strength and consolidation. When the effect of electroosmosis alone on reinforcing low-permeability soils is not significant, the combination of electroosmosis with vacuum preloading helps enhance the soil reinforcement effect.