Abstract: The time-dependent deformation experiments on different types of loesses, which are sampled from the test section of loess-high filling 80 meters thick at Lüliang Airport, are carried out. A modified Burgers (M-B) model is established for depicting time-dependent behaviors of loess. The developed model is introduced to the software FLAC3D to analyze the sensitivity of post-construction settlement of loess-high filling due to such factors as compaction degree, control standard of water content and foundation treatment methods. Based on the in-situ monitoring data, the numerical back analysis and prediction are conducted to further study the difference between experiment parameters and generalized layer’s parameters of high filling. The results show that reinforcement treatment of original foundation is the first critical factor for controlling the post-construction settlement, and the water content selection is also important for designing the compaction degree of high filling. The generalized layer’s parameters of M-B model are one to four times bigger than the experiment ones. The stability duration time for post-construction settlement of the thick loess foundation needs 3 or 4 years. It is suggested that the construction of airport infrastructure should be carried out 1.5 or 2.0 years after the completion of the high filling.

Key words: loess-high filling, post-construction settlement (PCS), time-dependent deformation test, numerical back analysis