The compression analysis of argillaceous material under a proposed superstructure is one of the primary tasks required of a geotechnical engineer. The accuracy of such an analysis is dubious in the absence of proper geotechnical investigation. A proper geotechnical investigation involves site reconnaissance, determination of subsurface conditions, in situ and laboratory tests, and settlement monitoring, if required. This research fulfills several objectives, i.e. analyses of primary consolidation, proposes new correlations, and compares observed and predicted values of settlement. The current paper introduces several new correlations between the compression index and soil parameters such as natural water content, initial void ratio, liquid limit, plasticity index, specific gravity of soil solids, and dry unit weight for the soils of Greater Cincinnati based on regression analysis. Previously available correlations are also analyzed. Most of the new equations obtained show statistical improvement over their predecessors. The data used to obtain these new correlations were provided by local consulting firms including H.C. Nutting Company and Thelen Associates, as well as the Ohio Department of Transportation. Several case studies are presented which compare predicted settlements (by local engineers) and measured settlements due to consolidation of clays. This work then validates the new equations. These case studies are based on project reports provided by H.C. Nutting Company and are intended to help local engineers in predicting consolidation settlements more accurately.

When stresses are applied to saturated soil, deformation will occur as water in voids is squeezed out. Consolidation Analyses of Soils focuses on the consolidation of fully saturated soils. The book follows a classic approach by beginning with one-dimensional constitutive relations of soils and one-dimensional consolidation. It then moves on to analytical solutions to several one-dimensional consolidation problems and one-dimensional finite strain consolidation. The authors also present a finite element method for consolidation analysis of one-dimensional problems, analytical solutions to consolidation of soil with vertical drains, and a finite difference method for consolidation analysis of one-dimensional problems. Simplified methods for consolidation analysis of soils exhibiting creep are introduced and applied to different cases. Three-dimensional consolidation equations and solutions of typical three-dimensional consolidation problems are covered, as well as simplified finite element consolidation analysis of soils with vertical drain and finite element method for three-dimensional consolidation problems. The book is unique in that it covers both classic solutions and state-of-the-art work in consolidation analyses of soils. Authors Jian-Hua Yin is Chair Professor of Soil Mechanics in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Guofu Zhu is a Professor in the Department of Engineering Structures and Mechanics at Wuhan University of Technology, China.