Consolidation analysis

Program allows analysis of consolidation when set in the frame "Analysis methods". Consolidated layer, formed by impermeable, resp. lower permeable soil, subsequently settles with increasing time. Consolidation affects values of pore pressure. Soil parameters influencing consolidation analysis are entered in the frame "Soils", other consolidation parameters are set in the frame "Analysis" in individual construction stages.

Consolidation coefficient, depended on the soil properties, is calculated:

where:	Eoed	-	oedometric modulus of deformation
	k	-	coefficient of permeability
	γw	-	unit weight of water

When the consolidated layer is composed from non-homogeneous soil, coefficient c_v is evaluated as average of soil coefficients.

Consolidation analysis is also influenced by time factors, which are depended on the path of water outflow. This path is equal to the thickness of the consolidated layer in case of only one direction outflow (upwards or downwards) or half of the thickness in case of both directions outflow (upwards and downwards). Real time factor is evaluated according to the following formula:

where:	cv	-	consolidation coefficient
	t	-	real time
	H	-	path of water outflow

Time factor of  build duration is influenced by duration of load action. When the whole loading is introduced at the beginning of stage, build time is equal to zero. When load linearly increases during stage duration, then build time is equal to the time of stage duration. Time factor of  build duration is calculated by formula:

where:	cv	-	consolidation coefficient
	tc	-	build time
	H	-	path of water outflow

Degree of consolidation is evaluated by following formulas:

for:
for:
where:

where:	Tv	-	real time factor
	Tc	-	time factor of  build duration

Original value of deformation in consolidated layer in certain construction stage is multiplied by corresponding degree of consolidation U_av to obtain result value of deformation:

where:	εfin	-	result value of deformation
	ε	-	original value of deformation
	Uav	-	degree of consolidation

Consolidation analysis also influences pore pressure values in consolidated layer. In the time of introducing the load action, pore pressure values are the highest. When time increases to theoretical infinity, pore pressure decreases to zero.

Pore pressure:

for:
for:
where:

where:	Tv	-	real time factor
	Tc	-	time factor of  build duration
	H	-	path of water outflow
	z	-	depth, where value of pore pressure is evaluated
	u0	-	change of effective stress compared to previous stage (loading)

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Literature:

Braja M. Das. Advanced Soil Mechanics; Taylor & Francis: London, 2008.pp278 - 316
Verruijt A. Soil Mechanics, Delft University of Technology, 2010, pp97-123,

http://geo.verruijt.net/software/SoilMechBook.pd