Finite-strain consolidation finite-element method subject to non-conservative body force

Numerical analysis of finite-strain consolidation is investigatedby finite element method with non-conservative body force. Firstly, amodified static equilibrium equation for finite-strain consolidation isproposed during the consolidation process of saturated soils using TotalLagrangian description with non-conservative body force. Secondly, thecorresponding incremental finite-element (FE) )formulations of finite-strainconsolidation are presented with the substitution of the non-conservativebody force for a fellow body force. Both the equilibrium equation and thenew FE formulations can be reduced to the traditional conservative forms byneglect of the volume strain of soils, respectively. A case of finite-strainself-weight consolidation was presented to study the significance ofnon-conservative body force. The numerical results show that traditionalmethod underestimates the consolidation degree of foundation, butoverestimates the consolidation settlement and excess pore water pressure.The present finite-strain consolidation analysis based on non-conservativebody force is available to precisely predict the consolidation behavior offoundation.