Uncertainty of One‐Dimensional Consolidation Analysis

The measured coefficient of consolidation, cυ, can have a substantial degree of variation even in a uniform clay layer. This paper, through a probabilistic analysis, examines the variability of one‐dimensional consolidation solutions. Both the single layer and the multilayer models are evaluated. In the probabilistic analysis, the adequacy of a gamma distribution model for cυ is tested using experimental data. Then both the method of moments and the Monte Carlo method are used to develop solutions for one dimensional consolidation. The results are discussed in terms of confidence level with examples to demonstrate the variability of the solution of consolidation analysis.