Analysis of consolidation data by a non-graphical matching method

Conventionally the laboratory time-compression data from an odometer test are analyzed by graphical methods. This involves the determination of initial compression, delta(i), total primary consolidation, delta(100), and coefficient of consolidation, C-v. The advent of computer-controlled data-logging systems calls for adoption of non-graphical techniques for analysis of consolidation test data. In this Technical Note a non-graphical matching method is proposed for analyzing the time-compression data. The values of delta(i), delta(100), and C-v can be obtained by direct matching with the theory. The computed time-compression curve for this C-v value matches very well with the experimental data in the primary consolidation phase. The proposed method is also applicable to consolidation under conditions of radial drainage. The method will be very useful if the data are collected through computer-driven data-logging systems