| Abstract: | Previous field and laboratory studies have shown that the creation of a borehole in a saturated cohesive soil mass induces significant pore water suctions in the vicinity of the hole. The dissipation of these pore water suctions (swelling) leads to local increases in the moisture content and hence a softening of the soil around the hole. This softening may have important consequences for the stability of the hole and also for the ultimate load capacity of any foundation elements (bored piles or drilled shafts) constructed in these holes. This paper presents a semi-analytical solution for the radial dissipation of pore water pressure around a freshly created, vertical hole. It is assumed the soil deforms elastically during the swelling process. The solutions are presented in the form of isochrones of excess pore water pressure and may be used to obtain estimates of the time required for the soil around the hole to swell and therefore to soften. Both permeable and impermeable borehole interfaces have been considered, together with either no support for the hole or partial support provided by hydrostatic pressure within the hole. |
