Comparison of results of pre-consolidation of soft soil using analytical and finite element software

Abstract

This paper targets to make a comparison between consolidation calculation for softy soil layer by two methods, by using usual analytical equations found in most soil mechanic books, and PLAXIS simulation. The second method used a finite elements method represented by PLAXIS program, with the same parameters that were used in the first method, and other default parameters necessary in PLAXIS calculations. The results show strong agreement between the two methods, especially in the Active and excess pore water pressure, total and effective stresses, and total settlement in soft clay soils. In another hand, a significant difference in the values of time of consolidation calculated by the two methods is observed. These differences appeared due to using many different equations to calculate the (cv) consolidation coefficient.