A Numerical Procedure for Coupled Consolidation in Saturated Soils

Consolidation is the reduction of soil volume with time. This phenomenon generates a stresses transfer process beginning with the application of load and subsequent increase in pore water pressure. This increase in pore water pressure generates a flow of water that reduces the volume of soil. Thus, consolidation represents a hydro-mechanical coupled problem. Different models have been developed to simulate this phenomenon properly. This paper presents a coupled hydro-mechanical consolidation model for saturated materials. It can also be extended to the case of unsaturated materials when effective stresses are used. This model considers different drainage, displacement and loading conditions. It properly simulates the phenomenon of consolidation and is consistent with other models. It also correctly reproduces laboratory tests.