Finite layer analysis of consolidation. I

A method for the analysis of the consolidation of a horizontally layered soil under plane conditions is developed. The method depends upon the transformation of the governing equations by a Fourier transform. This transformation has the effect of reducing the partial differential equations of consolidation to ordinary differential equations. The ordinary differential equations are then solved using a finite layer or finite difference approach. Once the solution in the transformed plane has been found the actual solution is synthesized by Fourier inversion. The method leads to a considerable reduction in the amount of core storage necessary for solution and enables the solution of quite significant problems to be obtained on a mini-computer. (a) for part 2 of the article see TRIS 367147. (TRRL)