One-Dimensional Solar Energy Thermal Consolidation Model Testing and Analytical Calculation for Marine Soft Clays

Abstract

There are significant energy and financial expenditures associated with the current thermal drainage consolidation approach used to treat the marine soft clay foundation. Especially for some reclaimed lands in remote areas where a large amount of stable electricity is not readily available. In view of the problem, this paper aims to investigate a novel treatment method by using solar energy thermal consolidation. The model testing was conducted to assess the treatment effect of the foundation. Results from two groups of one-dimensional surcharge preloading consolidation model experiments, conducted under conditions of both solar heating and ambient temperature, were presented. The advantage of the solar heating approach was demonstrated by a comparison of the two tests. An analytical calculation method was proposed for predicting the consolidation behavior on the basis of the temperature variation caused by solar energy in the marine soft clays, and good agreement was observed. The outcomes reveal that solar heating can improve the consolidation effect of soil deep in the foundation. The foundation temperature can be raised by 15 °C in winter, and the variation range can exceed 10 °C. The settlement increases by 16% compared with the ambient temperature group.