Consolidation of vertical drain with depth-varying stress induced by multi-stage loading

An explicit analytical solution is developed for the consolidation of vertical drain with both radial and vertical drainage by adopting a depth-varying stress induced by multi-stage loading. The well resistance and smear effect are also considered. The smear effect is described by three decay patterns of horizontal permeability towards drains within the smeared zone, including a reduced constant pattern, a linear decay pattern and a parabolic decay pattern. A parameter analysis is performed to investigate the consolidation behavior of the vertical drain. The convergence of the proposed series solution is discussed.

► A depth-varying stress by multi-stage loading is incorporated for developing the consolidation solution of vertical drain.
► The well resistance and smear effect are also considered.
► A parameter analysis is performed to investigate the consolidation behavior.
► The convergence of the proposed series solution is discussed.