Abstract:Existing consolidation model of ground with partially penetrated vertical drains under instantaneous loading is extended for time-dependent loading. Based on the principle of superposition in linear partial differential equations,the solutions for the consolidation of ground with partially penetrated vertical drains under time-dependent loading are developed by decomposing time-dependent loading into instantaneous loading. Using the solution method mentioned above,pore pressure dissipation of a soft ground with partially penetrated vertical drains under single ramp loading and multi-ramp loading is analyzed. It is shown that,under the effect of loading time,the scope of average consolidation degree of the section with vertical drain is greater than that of the section without it,but the latter lasts much longer. It also shows that multi-ramp loading can be replaced by a single ramp loading in preliminary design,which has less effect on average consolidation degree when time is comparatively long.