Application of UH model to analysis of deformation of embankment on soft soils

The unified hardening model (UH model) proposed by Yao et al. is the constitutive model which can consider the influence of the complex stress path and stress history on the deformation and strength of clays reasonably. It can describe the characteristics of the normal consolidated clays and the overconsolidated clays well, including stress-strain relationships, shear dilatancy and shrinkage, strain hardening and softening. The initial overconsolidation ratio (OCR) is introduced into the finite element program of UH model. By regarding OCR as the control parameter, the three-dimension finite element analysis of embankment on soft soil with different OCRs is performed by the program. The settling curves with the time, the settlements of each point on the surface of subgrade and the horizontal displacements at vertical points are compared using the UH model and the MCC model. The settlements of subgrade soil deformation are attained. The results of UH model are compared with the measured data, and it is illustrated that the UH model is rational in analyzing the actual embankment engineering on soft soil.