Consolidation by vertical drains under time-dependent loading

A solution for the consolidation by vertical drains under time-dependent loading is presented in this paper. Considering the well resistance and the smear action, the simultaneous basic partial differential equations of the consolidation by vertical drains are obtained for the arbitrary loading method. However, the impulse function method cannot be directly applied to obtain the solution. The partial differential equations and the solution conditions that satisfy the impulse function method are obtained after some mathematical processing. The solution for the consolidation by vertical drains under time-dependent loading is obtained by virtue of the impulse function method and the solution under instantaneous loading. The solutions under single ramp loading and multi-ramp loading are obtained and the feasibility of Carrillo's method under time-dependent loading is discussed. Further, the characteristics of the consolidation by vertical drains under instantaneous loading and time-dependent loading are discussed. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.