Identifying Consolidation Coefficient: Linear Excess Pore-Water Pressure

Diagnostic curve methods are developed for simultaneously identifying consolidation coefficient, final settlement, and ratio of top and bottom excess pore-water pressures from observed settlements, in the case of linear excess pore-water pressure. Simple equations are also proposed for estimating consolidation coefficient and final settlement. The proposed methods and equations are applicable for any type of linear loading or drainage condition (one-way or two-way drainage). Solutions for pore-water pressure distribution and transient settlement of clay layers under linear loading of pore-water pressure with one-way drainage are also developed, which are used in the development of the methods. The proposed methods do not require full settlement data for the identification of parameters and the parameters can be identified from only initial but adequate settlement data.