In the current large-strain consolidation theory of double-layer soft soil foundation

it is assumed that the seepage in the soil follows Darcy’s law. However

it has been recognized that the seepage in soft clay may deviate from Darcy’s law under low hydraulic gradient. The effects of non-Darcy flow

non-linear characteristics

and time-dependent loading are discussed comprehensively

and a model for the finite-strain consolidation is developed in Lagrangian coordinate by employing the excess pore water pressure as variable. Meanwhile

the corresponding finite difference solutions for this model are provided. On this basis

the numerical solutions for the proposed consolidation model are verified by comparing with the numerical solutions for the large-strain consolidation of a single soil layer foundation with non-Darcy’s law. The influences of upper layer parameters m1、i11 and sublayer parameters m2

i12 on consolidation behaviors and the differences in the dissipation of excess pore water pressure and in the consolidation settlement are investigated. The results show that the influences of m1

i11 on consolidation behavior are more evident than m2

i12. The dissipation rate of excess pore water pressure in upper layer increases with the increase in the value of m2 or i12

whereas the consolidation rate of double layer foundation decreases with the increase in the value of m2 or i12. The consolidation rate of double layer foundation under large-strain assumption is larger than that at small-strain

whereas the final settlements under both large-strain assumption and small-strain assumption are the same.