Rate of settlement under two-and three dimensional conditions

A Series of Solutions Is Presented for the Rate of Settlement of Circular and Strip Foundations on a Soil Layer. Although These Solutions Are Obtained From the Simple Diffusion Theory of Consolidation Rather Than the More Rigorous Biot Theory, It Is Shown That the Results Should Be of Sufficient Accuracy for Practical Use. A Theoretical Examination Is Made of the Effects on the Rate of Settlement of Various Factors That May Arise in Practical Problems, Such as Footing Shape, Soil Anisotropy, and a Sand Layer Overlying the Clay Layer. Corrections for These Factors to the Basic Series of Solutions Are Given. The Results of Laboratory Tests on Model Footings Are Presented, and Good Agreement Is Found Between the Predicted and the Observed Rate of Settlement. /Author/