Probabilistic analysis of a one-dimensional soil consolidation problem

International audienceIn this paper, a probabilistic study of a one-dimensional soil consolidation problem has been carried out. The Collocation-based Stochastic Response Surface Method (CSRSM) was employed for the probabilistic analysis. The Young modulus E, the Poisson ratio ν, the hydraulic conductivity k h and the uniform surcharge loading q applied at the ground surface were considered as random variables. The probabilistic system responses considered in the analysis were the surface settlement and the consolidation time. Numerical simulations that make use of Biot theory were used for the computation of these system responses. A global sensitivity analysis based on Sobol indices was performed to identify the random variables that have the most contribution in the variability of the system responses. Also, a parametric study was undertaken to investigate the effect of the input geotechnical parameters and the statistical parameters of the random variables on the probability distribution functions of the system responses