iConsol.js: JavaScript Implicit Finite-Difference Code for Nonlinear Consolidation and Secondary Compression

TL;DR: An implicit finite-difference code for nonlinear consolidation and secondary compression was developed and implemented in a publicly available JavaScript Web application and found to be important for thick and/or low-permeability layers for which primary consolidation requires significant time.

Abstract: In this study, an implicit finite-difference code for nonlinear consolidation and secondary compression was developed and implemented in a publicly available JavaScript Web application. The rate of secondary compression was defined based on the distance in e-log10(σv′) space between a current point and a corresponding point on a reference secondary compression line (RSCL). Modeling secondary compression in this manner enables simultaneous occurrence of primary consolidation and secondary compression. The finite-difference code was first verified by comparison with three benchmarks. The influence of secondary compression on settlement versus time was then studied and found to be important for thick and/or low-permeability layers for which primary consolidation requires significant time. Overconsolidated soil was observed to result in an apparent increase in Cα with time, which was also observed in experimental data. Finally, secondary compression was found to be capable of generating excess pore pr...