NPTEL- Advanced Geotechnical Engineering

Module 5
Lecture 34
Consolidation-7
Topics
1.2.4 Effect of Smear Zone on Radial Consolidation
1.2.5 Calculation of the Degree of Consolidation with Vertical and Radial Drainage
1.2.6 Numerical Solution for Radial Drainage

1.2.4 Effect of Smear Zone on Radial Consolidation

Barron (1948) also extended the analysis of equal-strain consolidation by sand drains to account for the
smear zone explained. The analysis is based on the assumption that the clay in the smear zone will have one
boundary with zero excess pore water pressure and the other boundary with an excess pore water pressure
which will be time dependents. Based on this assumption,

2 2

22

2 2

(154)

Where = coefficient of permeability of smeared zone

(155)

= 2 2

4 + 4 2 +

2 2
2

(156)
(157)

The average degree of consolidation is given by the relation

= 1

= 1

(158)

Figure 5.51 gives the values of m [equation (156) for various values of / and smear, i.e., S = 1, the
expression for m [equation (156)] becomes equal to the expression for (), i.e., equation (150). Figure 5.
52 gives a plot of m against n for various values of ( / = 20).

Dept. of Civil Engg. Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur

NPTEL- Advanced Geotechnical Engineering

Figure 5.51 Values of m for various values of / and ( = 5 and 15). (After F. E. Richart, Review of
the Theories for Sand Drains, Trans. ASCE, vol. 124, 1959)

Olson (1977) gave a solution for the average degree of consolidation for time-dependent loading (ramp
load) similar to that for vertical drainage.aa

Figure 5.52 Plot of m against n for various values of ( / = 20). (After F. E. Richart, Review
of the Theories for Sand Drains, Trans, ASCE, vol. 124, 1959)

1.2.5 Calculation of the Degree of Consolidation with Vertical and Radial

Drainage
Dept. of Civil Engg. Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur

NPTEL- Advanced Geotechnical Engineering

The relation for average degree of consolidation for vertical drainage only; also, the relation for the degree
of consolidation due to radial drainage only. In reality, the drainage for the dissipation of excess pore water
pressure takes place in both directions simultaneously. For each a case, Carrillo (1942) has shown that
= 1 1 (1 )

(159)

Where
= Average degree of consolidation for simultaneous vertical and radial drainage
= Average degree of consolidation calculated on the assumption that only vertical drainage exists (note
we have used the notation before in this chapter)
= Average degree of consolidation calculated on the assumption that only radial drainage exists

1.2.6 Numerical Solution for Radial Drainage

As shown before for vertical drainage, we can adopt the finite-difference technique for solving consolidation
problems in the case of radial drainage. From equation (139),

2
2

Let , , be any reference excess pore water pressure, time, and radial distance, respectively. So,

Nondimensional excess pore water pressure = =

Nondimensional time = =

(160)
(161)

Nondimensional radial distance =

(162)

Substituting equations (160), to (162) into equation (139), we get

1

2
2

(163)

= (0, + 0, )

2
2

1
2

(164)

(1, + 3, 20, )

(165)

1 3, 1,

And =

(166)

If we adopt in such a way that 1/ = /2 and then substitute equations (164) to (166) into equation
(163), then
0, + =

1, + 3, +

3, 1,
2( / )

20, + 0,

Dept. of Civil Engg. Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur

(167)

NPTEL- Advanced Geotechnical Engineering

Equation (167) is the basic finite-difference equation for solution of the excess pore water pressure(for radial
drainage only).

Figure 5.65

Dept. of Civil Engg. Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur