Prediction of Three-Dimensional Consolidation Settlement: Observational Method and Its Applicability

Data Availability Statement

Notation

c_h

coefficient of horizontal (or radial) consolidation;

c_h(n)

coefficient of horizontal consolidation for an ideal condition;

c_h(n+s)

lower bound of the coefficient of horizontal consolidation (with F_r = 0);

c_v

coefficient of vertical consolidation;

d_e

diameter of the influence zone of each drain;

d_w

equivalent diameter of the drain;

F

F_n + F_s + F_r;

F_n

factor to account for drain spacing;

F_r

factor to account for well resistance;

F_s

factor to account for the smear effect;

G

$\pi k_h{l}_m^2/4q_w$;

H_d

vertical drainage path;

k_h

horizontal permeability of soil;

k_s

permeability of smeared soil;

k_w

permeability of the drain;

l_m

maximum drainage length;

M

$(\pi /2)(2m+1)$

m

integer;

m_v

coefficient of volume change;

n

drain spacing ratio = d_e/d_w;

q_w

discharge capacity of the drain;

S

settlement;

S_f

finally measured settlement;

S_ult

ultimate settlement;

S₀

initial settlement (at the beginning of primary consolidation);

S₁₀₀

settlement at the end of primary consolidation;

s

ratio of smear zone = d_s/d_w;

T_h

time factor for radial (or horizontal) consolidation;

T_v

time factor for vertical consolidation;

t

time;

t₀

initial time (i.e., time at S₀);

U_h

average degree of radial consolidation;

U_v

average degree of vertical consolidation;

U_vh

average degree of a combined consolidation;

y_2D

−ln(1 − S/S₁₀₀);

y_3D

−ln(1 − S/S₁₀₀) + ln[1 − {(4/π)χt}^0.5];

β₁

slope of a straight line in the S_i vs. S_i+1 plot;

χ

$c_v/H_d^2$;

Δt

time interval;

λ

slope of a straight line in the y_3D–t graph;

λ_IS

λ value at the intersection between the path of S_ult–S and the 1:1 line;

λ_2D

slope of a straight line in the y_2D–t graph; and

μ

coefficient (=λ/χ).

References