Degree of Consolidation (Constant, Variable, and Cyclic Loadings) by the Program GEO Tools

The analytical solution is difficult to solve the consolidation problem, when the clay layer is subjected to an irregular distribution of initial excess pore water pressure. In this case, the use of a numerical method is common. The oldest numerical method used for solving the consolidation problem is the Finite Difference Method, which was proposed by Gibson and Lumb (1953). The assumption of this method is that the one-dimensional consolidation equation and the boundary condition are approximated by finite difference formula. This numerical solution for onedimensional consolidation is described in the next paragraphs.