Maximum friction pressure loss in one-dimensional consolidation and its correlations with geometric and mechanical parameters

This study investigates side friction in one-dimensional consolidation tests on silty soil across various consolidation pressures and diameter-to-height ratios (D/H0). The results show that specimens with D/H0 < 2.5 suffer significant side friction, causing a reduction in average vertical consolidation pressure exceeding 21% at the end of primary consolidation (EOP). An analytical approach based on Taylor’s method was developed to predict the friction pressure loss ratio and its maximum value at EOP, showing strong agreement with experimental data from the present study and previously published investigations. Parametric and correlation analyses reveal that D/H0 has the strongest influence on the maximum friction pressure loss ratio (ρ ≈ −0.87), followed by the soil–ring interface friction ratio (ρ ≈ 0.44), while the effective friction angle has a negligible effect (ρ ≈ 0.11). To facilitate practical application, simplified equations (fractional error < 5%) and threshold D/H0 values are proposed to quantify and minimize side friction in oedometer tests. .