Abstract: The instant settlement, pore pressure as well as the consolidation settlement of an assumed embankment over cohesive soils is numerically analyzed by using finite element method (FEM) with both elastic and elastoplastic theories. The results indicate that, the zone of loading influence using elastic theory is significantly greater than the results using elastoplastic theory. The elastoplastic analysis should be used in embankments over the normally to slightly over consolidated soils. For embankment or atgrade roadway on heavily overconsolidated soils, elastic theory might be used. It is also concluded that the boundary conditions have strong influence on the analytical results.

Key words: Elastic Theory, Elasto-plastic Theory, Roadway Subgrade, Consolidation；Finite Element Method