Abstract: Based on the layered visco-elastic soil model, according to the Terzaghi’s one dimensional consolidation theory, by the method of Laplace transform and matrix transfer technique, the problems about the consolidation of layered and saturated visco-elastic soils under arbitrary loading were solved. Through deductions, the general solution, in the terms of layer thickness, the modulus and the coefficients of permeability and Laplacian transform’s parameters was obtained. The strain and deformation of the layered and saturated visco-elastic soils under arbitrary loading can be calculated by Laplace inversion. According to the results of several numerical examples, the consolidation of visco-elastic soils lags behind that of elastic soils. The development of effective stress and the displacement is vibrant process under cyclic loading. Finally, an engineering case is studied and the results prove that the methods are very effective.

Key words: arbitrary loading, layered, visco-elastic soils, one-dimensional consolidation