The management of the consolidation process in mine tailings is central to the long-term behavior of tailings management areas (TMA). The capacity of such TMAs as well as the long-term environmental impacts of such facilities all originate from the consolidation process which will occur over time. The typical slurried deposition of such tailings causes large potential consolidation of the tailings and therefore largestrain theory applies to this problem. The software tools for the application of large-strain theory have been slow in coming given that the mathematical theory was defined in the 60’s and 70’s. This paper examines the application of a 1D, 2D, and 3D software finite element tool to the solution of large-strain consolidation as applied to TMAs. Expected differences between small-strain and large-strain tools are outlined. Differences between a 1D, 2D, and 3D analysis will be examined and the question “Is a 1D analysis sufficient?” will be answered.