Study on Pore Size Distribution Characteristics of Saturated Remolded Clay during Consolidation

The saturated remolded clay was drained and consolidated at different loading rates, and the samples in different loading periods were measured by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The relationship between transverse relaxation time T₂ distribution, T₂ spectral area change, and the porosity was analyzed; furthermore, the pore size distribution characteristics of saturated remolded clay during consolidation were studied. The results show that the transverse relaxation time T₂ of saturated remolded cohesive soil samples in the initial stage is two spectral peaks, representing the pores with large and small pore sizes, respectively. With the progress of loading, the pore size of each sample group gradually shifts to smaller sizes and finally becomes dense and uniform pores with small pore sizes. After a specific time of dead load, the change in pore diameter is no longer noticeable, indicating that the flowable fluid in the pore has been drained, and the drainage consolidation is completed at this time. A boundary rate is obtained according to the positive correlation between the loading rate and the maximum pore water pressure. If the controlled loading rate is less than this value, it is inferred that the drainage consolidation is completed in the main consolidation stage.