A KEY TO SOLUTION OF THE IRROTATIONAL CONSOLIDATION AND ITS APPLICATION TO CYLINDRICAL CLAY

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to facilitate the analysis of the multi-dimensional consolidation subject to a certain condition. As well-known, consolidation is expressed by the heat conduction type equation taking the volmetric strain as an unknown, to which no boundary condition can be generally given. But in case of irrotational consolidation, a boundary condition can be given to the volmetric strain by introducing a consolidation potential. Also, in case of irrotational consolidation with the consolidation load being constant, consolidation can be expressed by the heat conduction type equation using an unknown consisting of an excess pore water pressure and the average excess pore water pressure. Also, in this case, the boundary condition can be given to such an unknown by introducing the consolidation potential. This paper describes the above concept and gives the rigorous solution of consolidation of a cylindrical clay with radial external drainage of water by applying such concept.