Discussion on the Classification of Seepage Consolidation

Seepage consolidation of saturated soft soil is divided into two types: compacted consolidation and seepage force consolidation,according to their different mechanism on the basis of analyzing different drained consolidation treatment methods for saturated soft soil foundation.And the seepage force consolidation is then divided into two subgroups: the decrease pressure and the increase pressure,and the vacuum method of preloading belongs to the type of decrease pressure.A new concept of pore water pressure of over steady seepage flow is proposed.A conclusion that the process of the seepage force consolidation is the process of a gradually change from the pore water pressure of over steady seepage flow to effective stress is drawn,and a simple calculating method of settlement analysis in the seepage force consolidation is proposed.Several problems in soft foundation improvement using seepage consolidation are analyzed and discussed.