The Theory of Consolidation

The basic differential equations of the linearized theory of consolidation are derived, taking into account a small compressibility of the pore fluid and the particles. The presentation follows the concepts of classical soil mechanics, paying special attention to TerzaghiTs principle of effective stress. It is shown that the equations are in agreement with the equations used in rock mechanics and reservoir engineering, in which disciplines the compressibility of the particles is usually more important than in soil mechanics and in geohydrology, in which the particle compressibility is usually disregarded. Some general properties of the solutions of the consolidation equations are discussed, and a procedure is described to estimate the rate of dissipation of pore pressures. Analytical and numerical solutions are briefly described, and some examples are given.