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Evaluation of Consolidation Settlement Using the Sublayer Method Jennifer McPhail, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, |
ABSTRACT
The consolidation settlement calculation is one of the most common calculations done in geotechnical engineering. This calculation is generally done by the conventional, one-point method. The methodology, however, in the one-point calculation introduces an unacceptable error. This error ranges from 100% to 300% in most instances. This error was investigated using a computer program. The computer program has the feature of automatic numerical integration by sublayers, a method that is recommended in most textbooks. Cases were investigated using the conventional, one-point method and comparing results to the exact answer using the sublayer method. It was found that the error involved concerning the conventional, one-point method was so unacceptable that it should not even be considered as a way to calculate consolidation settlement. A computer program with the ability to subdivide layers more than fifty times gave the most accurate, reliable answer within seconds. Subdividing soil layers using a computer program should be incorporated into calculating the settlement of a foundation.
KEYWORDS: Consolidation, settlement, foundations, compression index, numerical integration. analysis
