Diagnostic Curve Methods for Consolidation Coefficient

Abstract

Two new diagnostic curve methods, which do not require the implicit or explicit determination of initial or final dial gauge readings for primary settlement, are proposed for the identification of the consolidation coefficient. Besides the estimate of the consolidation coefficient, these methods also yield an estimate of the range of primary settlement. In these methods, the diagnostically plotted points are matched to the diagnostic curves with a parallel shift of axes to yield the estimates of the consolidation coefficient and range of primary settlement. The new methods do not require dial gauge readings up to 100% of primary consolidation and can also be used even when very scarce data are available. Using the proposed methods, a nonideal condition can also be identified.