Consolidation Analysis - POP vs OCR

RE: Consolidation Analysis - POP vs OCR

Dennis Waterman — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 11:26:26 GMT

Well, it doesn't say it's the maximum preconsolidation stress - it only says the POP is used to calculate the preconsolidation pressure, but not in what way.

However, if you look at figure 171 in the Reference Manual there can be no doubt:

With kind regards,

Dennis Waterman

RE: Consolidation Analysis - POP vs OCR

Boris Kolev — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 11:16:09 GMT

Thank you Dennis. Below is what is included in the manual. From I understood from the manual, it seems that POP is the max preconsolidation stress, which led to this confusion.

RE: Consolidation Analysis - POP vs OCR

Dennis Waterman — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 10:51:51 GMT

Dear Boris,

I think you misinterpret the POP. The POP is not the preconsolidation pressure, it's the pre-overburden pressure. Hence, it's the difference between the preconsolidation pressure and the initial in-situ stress (the initial overburden). So when you define

POP = 0, the preconsolidation pressure is equal to the initial vertical stress, which is 350 kPa
POP = 350, the preconsolidation pressure is 350 kPa higher than the initial vertical stress, which is 700 kPa

By defining POP = 350 your soil is no longer normally consolidated, but overconsolidated. Which explains why it settles less.
So for your case there are not two approaches, but only one: Approach 2.

With kind regards,

Dennis Waterman