Identification of the strain-dependent coefficient of permeability by combining the results of experimental and numerical oedometer tests with free lateral movement

The key parameter that affects the consolidation process of soil is the coefficient of permeability. The common assumption in the consolidation analysis is that the coefficient of permeability is porosity-dependent. However, various authors suggest that the strain-dependency of the coefficient of permeability should also be taken into account. In this paper, we present results of experimental and numerical analyses, with an aim to determine the strain-dependency of the coefficient of permeability. We present in detail both the experimental procedure and the finite element formulation of the two-dimensional axisymmetric numerical model of the oedometer test (standard and modified). We perform a set of experimental standard and modified oedometer tests. We use these experimental results to validate our numerical model and to define the model input parameter. Finally, by combining the experimental and numerical results, we propose the expression for the strain-dependent coefficient of permeability.