Consolidation of Clay Layer: Hydrogeologic Boundary Conditions

This technical note examines the results of a nonlinear, finite‐strain consolidation analysis of a clay layer subjected to underdrainage at its base. It is shown that due to the nonlinearity of the soil properties the steady‐state pore‐water pressure cannot be defined until the end of consolidation. It is further shown that the steady‐state reference pore‐water pressure at the beginning and end of consolidation are different when the clay layer is loaded by a surcharge. The use of the excess pore‐water pressure as the dependent variable in a consolidation analysis is discussed.