Rectangular hyperbola method of consolidation analysis

Abstract

The time factor T and the degree of consolidation U relationship from Terzaghi's theory can be shown to be a rectangular hyperbola over the degree of consolidation range 60-90%. In this Paper, the similarities between theoretical T/U versus T and experimental t/δ versus t plots (where t is the time and δ is the compression) are used to present a simple method of determining the coefficient of consolidation. Many consolidation test results were analysed, and the values of the coefficients of consolidation obtained by the rectangular hyperbola method are seen to lie in between those obtained from the Taylor and Casagrande methods. Further, the rectangular hyperbola method provides a simpler method of predicting the magnitude of primary compression. The non-dimensional slope of the t/δ versus t plot is a useful parameter in predicting the magnitude and time for primary compression.