Some properties of isochrones

The gradient of an isochrone is related to

the hydraulic gradient (i):

At the drainage surface, isochrones are

steepest and = 0.
At the impermeable (k = 0) base the seepage velocity is zero since V = ki;
the isochrones will therefore be at 90 to the impermeable boundary.
Between two isochrones the change in thickness in time , i.e. (t2 - t1),
is = -mv ,
where z. is the shaded area.
Thus, the settlement at the surface of the layer is given by:
= = mv area OAB