CVG 5175

Numerical Methods for

Geotechnical Engineers

CVG 5175

1
 CVG 5175

2D Consolidation
● For 1D consolidation, we derived:
2
du e d ue
=C v 2
dt dz

2
 CVG 5175

2D Consolidation
● For 1D consolidation, we derived:
2
du e d ue
=C v 2
dt dz

● However, the change in water content of an

elemental volume is equal to the sum of the
change in water content due to the flow
components in all directions:
∂ θ = ∂V w /V = ∂V w /∂ t = ∂ Q = ∂Q x +∂Q y +∂ Q z
∂t ∂t ∂V V V
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2D Consolidation
● Therefore the change in water content with
respect to hydraulic potential in 3D is:

2 2 2
∂ θ =K ∂ h + K ∂ h + K ∂ h
x 2 y 2 z 2
∂t ∂x ∂y ∂z

4
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2D Consolidation
● Assuming an infinitely long prototype (strip
footing, embankment, dam etc), the variation
of head perpendicular to the 2D section is
negligible, therefore the second term becomes
0:
2 2
∂ θ =K ∂ h ∂ h
x 2
+0+ K z
∂t ∂x ∂ z2

5
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2D Consolidation
● Assuming an infinitely long prototype (strip
footing, embankment, dam etc), the variation
of head perpendicular to the 2D section is
negligible, therefore the second term becomes
0:
2 2
∂ θ =K ∂ h ∂ h
x 2
+ K z
∂t ∂x ∂ z2

6
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2D Consolidation
● In a saturated soil, the change in water
content is equal to the change in volume of the
soil, and as was done previously:
2 2
∂ θ =K ∂ h ∂ h
x 2
+K z 2
∂t ∂x ∂z

7
 CVG 5175

2D Consolidation
● In a saturated soil, the change in water
content is equal to the change in volume of the
soil, and as was done previously:
2 2
∂ θ =K ∂ h ∂ h
x 2
+K z 2
∂t ∂x ∂z

Translates to:
2 2
∂ ue ∂ ue ∂ ue
=C x +C z
∂t ∂x 2
∂ z2

8
 CVG 5175

2D Consolidation
● In a saturated soil, the change in water
content is equal to the change in volume of the
soil, and as was done previously:
2 2
∂ θ =K ∂ h ∂ h
x 2
+K z 2
∂t ∂x ∂z

Translates to:
2 2
∂ ue ∂ ue ∂ ue
=C h +C v
∂t ∂x 2
∂ z2

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Example 1
● A strip footing with a width of 2 m imposes a
stress increase of 50 kPa at the surface of a
uniform clay layer, 8 m thick. Find the excess
pore water pressure and degree of
consolidation within the clay layer after 15
days. The clay has a coefficient of
consolidation Cv=1.10 m²/yr and has dual
drainage.

10
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Example 1
2 2
∂ ue ∂ ue ∂ ue
=C h +C v
∂t ∂x
2
∂z
2

Δ ue Δ 2 ue Δ 2 ue
=C h +C v
Δt Δx
2
Δz
2

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 CVG 5175

Example 1
2 2
∂ ue ∂ ue ∂ ue
=C h +C v
∂t ∂x
2
∂z
2

n+1
u e −nu e n
u e −2 nu e + nu e n
u e −2 nu e + nu e
i, j
=C h
i, j i+ 1, j i, j i−1, j
+C v i, j+ 1 i, j i , j−1

Δt Δx
2
Δz
2

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 CVG 5175

Example 1
2 2
∂ ue ∂ ue ∂ ue
=C h +C v
∂t ∂x
2
∂z
2

n+1 n Ch Δ t n n n CvΔt n n n
ue − ue =
i, j i, j
Δx
2 ( u e −2 u e + u e
i+1, j i, j i−1, j
)+ Δz
2 ( u e −2 ue + ue
i , j +1 i,j i , j−1
)

13
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Example 1
2 2
∂ ue ∂ ue ∂ ue
=C h +C v
∂t ∂x
2
∂z
2

n+1 n Ch Δ t n n n CvΔt n n n
ue − ue =
i, j i, j
Δx
2 ( u e −2 u e + u e
i+1, j i, j i−1, j
)+ Δz
2 ( u e −2 ue + ue
i , j +1 i,j i , j−1
)

Ch Δ t Cv Δ t
r x= r z=
Δ z2
2
Δx

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 CVG 5175

Example 1
2 2
∂ ue ∂ ue ∂ ue
=C h +C v
∂t ∂x
2
∂z
2

n+1
u e − nu e =r x ( nu e −2 nue + nu e
i, j i, j i+1, j i, j i−1, j
+r n
) z( eu −2 n
u
i , j+1e + n
ue
i, j i , j−1
)

Ch Δ t Cv Δ t
r x= r z=
Δ z2
2
Δx

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 CVG 5175

Example 1
2 2
∂ ue ∂ ue ∂ ue
=C h +C v
∂t ∂x
2
∂z
2

n+1
u e − nu e =r x ( nu e −2 nue + nu e
i, j i, j i+1, j i, j i−1, j
+r n
) z( eu −2 n
u
i , j+1e + n
ue
i, j i , j−1
)

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 CVG 5175

Example 1
2 2
∂ ue ∂ ue ∂ ue
=C h +C v
∂t ∂x
2
∂z
2

n+1
u e =r x ( n u e −2 nu e + nu e
i, j i+1, j i, j i−1, j
n
) z( e
+r u −2 n
u
i , j+1e + n
ue
i, j i , j−1
+ n
) ue i,j

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 CVG 5175

Example 1
2 2
∂ ue ∂ ue ∂ ue
=C h +C v
∂t ∂x
2
∂z
2

n+1
ue =r x ( n u e + nu e
i, j i+1, j i−1, j
+r n
) z ( e ue
u + n
i , j +1 i , j−1
) (
+ 1−2 r x −2r n
z ) ue i, j

18
 CVG 5175

Example 1
Taking advantage of symmetry we can consider only half the strip footing, and half
the domain. Water movement is driven by a difference in hydraulic head: therefore
the line of symmetry can be considered a no-flow boundary.

B/2

No flow boundary

Constant head boundary (h=0 in this case)

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 CVG 5175

Example 1
t=0 days t=0 days

t=5 days t=30 days

t=10 days t=60 days

t=15 days t=90 days

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 CVG 5175

Example 1
60
t=0 days t=5 days

50

dis- 40 dis-

Vertical stress, σv (kPa)

Vertical stress, σv (kPa)

tance tance
from01 30
from01
center2 20
center
2
4 4
(m) (m)
10

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

depth, z (m) depth, z (m)

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 CVG 5175

Example 1
60 60
t=10 days t=15 days

50 50

40 dis- 40 dis-
Vertical stress, σv (kPa)

Vertical stress, σv (kPa)

tance tance
30
from01 30
from01
20
center2 20
center
2
4 4
(m) (m)
10 10

0 0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

depth, z (m) depth, z (m)

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 CVG 5175

Example 1
60 60
t=30 days t=60 days

50 50

40 dis- 40 dis-
Vertical stress, σv (kPa)

Vertical stress, σv (kPa)

tance tance
30
from01 30
from01
20
center2 20
center
2
4 4
(m) (m)
10 10

0 0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

depth, z (m) depth, z (m)

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 CVG 5175

Example 1
60
t=90 days

50

40 dis-
Vertical stress, σv (kPa)

tance
30
from01
20
center2
4
(m)
10

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

depth, z (m)

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 CVG 5175

Axissymmetric flow
equation
● Flow of water in soil has been expressed as
the change in water content over time per unit
of volume:

∂θ=
∂t

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 CVG 5175

Axissymmetric flow
equation
● Flow of water in soil has been expressed as
the change in water content over time per unit
of volume:
∂V w
∂θ= V
∂t ∂t

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 CVG 5175

Axissymmetric flow
equation
● Flow of water in soil has been expressed as
the change in water content over time per unit
of volume:
∂V w ∂ V w
∂θ= V = ∂t
∂t ∂t V

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 CVG 5175

Axissymmetric flow
equation
● Flow of water in soil has been expressed as
the change in water content over time per unit
of volume:
∂V w ∂ V w
∂ θ = V = ∂ t =− ∂Q
∂t ∂t V V

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 CVG 5175

Axissymmetric flow
equation
● Flow of water in soil has been expressed as
the change in water content over time per unit
of volume:
∂V w ∂ V w
∂ θ = V = ∂ t =− ∂Q
∂t ∂t V V

+r, +qr 29
 CVG 5175

Axissymmetric flow
● The volume of a cylindrical element is given
by:
∂θ
∂r

∂z
V =r ∂ θ ∂ r ∂ z

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 CVG 5175

Axissymmetric flow
● The area of the section of the inflow and
outflow is given by:
∂θ

1
(
A in = (r− ∂ r)∂ θ ∂ z
2 )
∂r

∂z

1
A out =((r + ∂ r)∂ θ ) ∂ z
2

(Assuming flow from center to the periphery)

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Axissymmetric flow
● The inflow and outflow can be defined from
the Darcy flux as follows:
Q in =q in A in

Qout =q out A out

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Axissymmetric flow
● Substituting

∂ θ = −∂ Q = −∂ Qr − ∂ Q z = Q r in −Q r out − ∂ Q z
∂t V V V V V

1 1
q r in (r− ∂ r )∂ θ ∂ z−q r out (r + ∂ r)∂θ ∂ z
∂θ= 2 2 ∂ Qz
−
∂t r ∂θ ∂ r ∂ z V

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 CVG 5175

Axissymmetric flow
● Substituting

∂ θ = −∂ Q = −∂ Qr − ∂ Q z = Q r in −Q r out − ∂ Q z
∂t V V V V V

1 1
q r in (r− ∂ r )−q r out (r + ∂ r)
∂θ= 2 2 ∂Q z
−
∂t r ∂r V

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 CVG 5175

Axissymmetric flow
● Substituting

∂ θ = −∂ Q = −∂ Qr − ∂ Q z = Q r in −Q r out − ∂ Q z
∂t V V V V V

1
( r in r out ) 2 ( qr in +q r out ) ∂ r ∂ Q
q −q r−
∂θ= − z
∂t r ∂r V

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 CVG 5175

Axissymmetric flow
● Substituting

∂ θ = −∂ Q = −∂ Qr − ∂ Q z = Q r in −Q r out − ∂ Q z
∂t V V V V V

1
q r ( q r in +q r out ) ∂ r
∂ θ = ( r in −q r out )
−
2
−
∂Q z
∂t r ∂r r ∂r V

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 CVG 5175

Axissymmetric flow
● Substituting

∂ θ = −∂ Q = −∂ Qr − ∂ Q z = Q r in −Q r out − ∂ Q z
∂t V V V V V

1
q ( q r in +q r out )
∂ θ = ( r in −q r out ) 2 ∂ Qz
− +
∂t ∂r r V

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 CVG 5175

Axissymmetric flow
● Substituting

∂ θ = −∂ Q = −∂ Qr − ∂ Q z = Q r in −Q r out − ∂ Q z
∂t V V V V V

∂ θ = −∂ q − q¯r − ∂Q z
∂t ∂r r V

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 CVG 5175

Axissymmetric flow
● Substituting

∂ θ = −∂ Q = −∂ Qr − ∂ Q z = Q r in −Q r out − ∂ Q z
∂t V V V V V

∂ θ = −∂ q r − qr − ∂Q z
∂t ∂r r V

39
 CVG 5175

Axissymmetric flow
● Substituting

∂ θ = −∂ Q = −∂ Qr − ∂ Q z = Q r in −Q r out − ∂ Q z
∂t V V V V V

∂ θ =− ∂ q r − qr − ∂Q z q r =−K
∂h
∂t ∂r r V ∂r

40
 CVG 5175

Axissymmetric flow
● Substituting

∂ θ = −∂ Q = −∂ Qr − ∂ Q z = Q r in −Q r out − ∂ Q z
∂t V V V V V
2
∂ θ =K
∂t r (
∂
+
∂r r ∂r
2
−
)
h 1 ∂ h ∂Q z
V

41
 CVG 5175

Axissymmetric flow
● Substituting

∂ θ = −∂ Q = −∂ Qr − ∂ Q z = Q r in −Q r out − ∂ Q z
∂t V V V V V
2 2
∂ θ =K
∂t r (
∂ h
+
∂r r ∂r
2
1 ∂ h
) ∂
+K z 2
∂z
h

Assuming a uniform soil

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 CVG 5175

Axissymmetric flow
● Substituting

∂ θ = −∂ Q = −∂ Qr − ∂ Q z = Q r in −Q r out − ∂ Q z
∂t V V V V V

∂t ( ∂ r2 r ∂r )
∂ θ = ∂ ( K r ∂ h ) + 1 ∂ h + ∂ ( K z ∂ h)
∂ z2
Assuming a heterogeneous soil

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 CVG 5175

Axissymmetric flow
● Substituting

∂ θ = −∂ Q = −∂ Qr − ∂ Q z = Q r in −Q r out − ∂ Q z
∂t V V V V V

( )
∂h ∂h
∂θ=
(
∂ Kr )
∂r 1 ∂h
+ +
(
∂ Kz
∂z )
∂t ∂r r ∂r ∂z
Assuming a heterogeneous soil

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 CVG 5175

Example 2
● A 1 m diameter well is dug in a clay layer, 8 m
thick, with an isotropic hydraulic conductivity of
K= 5×10-8 m³/(m² s)
– Find the hydraulic head within the clay layer at
steady state if the hydraulic head in the well is
brought to a depth of 5 m from an initial depth of 1
m below ground surface.
● Assume a well dug to the “impervious” bedrock below
the layer.
● Assume a 3 m deep well

45
 CVG 5175

Example 2
2 2
∂ θ =K
∂t r(∂ h
+
∂r r ∂r
2
1 ∂
)h ∂ h
+ K z 2 =0
∂z
(at steady state)

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 CVG 5175

Example 2
2 2
∂ θ =K
∂t r (
∂ h
+
∂r r ∂r
2
1 ∂ h
) ∂ h
+ K z 2 =0
∂z
(at steady state)

Since the soil is uniform and isotropic Kr = Kz = constant

47
 CVG 5175

Example 2
2 2
∂ θ =K
∂t r (
∂ h
+
∂r r ∂r
2
1 ∂ h
) ∂ h
+ K z 2 =0
∂z
(at steady state)

Since the soil is uniform and isotropic Kr = Kz = constant

∂2 h 1 ∂ h ∂ 2 h
( +
)
+ 2 =0
∂r r ∂r ∂ z
2

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 CVG 5175

Example 2
2 2
∂ θ =K
∂t r
∂
(
h
+
∂r r ∂r
2
1 ∂ h ∂
) h
+ K z 2 =0
∂z
(at steady state)

Since the soil is uniform and isotropic Kr = Kz = constant

( Δr 2
+
r 2Δr )
hi+1, j−2 hi , j +h i−1, j 1 ( hi+1, j−hi−1, j ) ( hi , j+1−2 hi , j +hi , j−1 )
+
Δz 2
=0

49
 CVG 5175

Example 2
2 2
∂ θ =K
∂t r
∂
(
h
+
∂r r ∂r
2
1 ∂ h ∂
) h
+ K z 2 =0
∂z
(at steady state)

Since the soil is uniform and isotropic Kr = Kz = constant

( Δr 2
r 2Δr )
hi+1, j +hi−1, j 1 ( hi+1, j−hi−1, j ) ( hi , j+1 +hi , j−1 ) 2h i , j 2 hi , j
+ +
Δz 2
=
Δr 2
+
Δ z2

50
 CVG 5175

Example 2
2 2
∂ θ =K
∂t r
∂
(
h
+
∂r r ∂r
2
1 ∂ h ∂
) h
+ K z 2 =0
∂z
(at steady state)

Since the soil is uniform and isotropic Kr = Kz = constant

( Δr 2
+
r 2Δr )
hi+1, j +hi−1, j 1 ( hi+1, j−hi−1, j ) ( hi , j+1 +hi , j−1 )
+
Δz 2 ( =
2
2
+
Δr Δ z
2
2 )
hi , j

51
 CVG 5175

Example 2
2 2
∂ θ =K
∂t r
∂
( h
+
∂r r ∂r
2
1 ∂ h
)∂ h
+ K z 2 =0
∂z
(at steady state)

Since the soil is uniform and isotropic Kr = Kz = constant

((
hi , j =
Δr 2
r 2Δr )
+
Δ z2 )
hi+1, j +hi−1, j 1 ( hi+1, j−hi−1, j ) ( hi , j+1 +hi , j−1 )
+
Δ r 2 Δ z2
2 Δ z 2 +2 Δ r 2

52
 CVG 5175

Axissymmetric
Consolidation
● Based on development of the consolidation
equations, and the axissymmetric flow
problem:

∂2 ue 1 ∂ ue ∂2 ue
∂ ue
∂t (
=C h 2
+
∂r r ∂r )+C v
∂ z2

53
 CVG 5175

Axissymmetric
Consolidation
● Based on development of the consolidation
equations, and the axissymmetric flow
problem:

∂2 ue 1 ∂ ue ∂2 ue
∂ ue
∂t (
=C h 2
+
∂r r ∂r )+C v
∂ z2 For a uniform soil

54
 CVG 5175

Axissymmetric
Consolidation
● Based on development of the consolidation
equations, and the axissymmetric flow
problem:

∂t
= ( ∂r 2
+
r ∂r
+)
∂ u e ∂ ( C h ( ∂u e ) ) 1 ∂ u e ∂ ( C v ( ∂u e ) )
∂ z2 For a heterogeneous soil

55
 CVG 5175

Axissymmetric
Consolidation
● Based on development of the consolidation
equations, and the axissymmetric flow
problem:

( ( ) ) ( ( ))
∂ ue ∂ ue
∂ ue
=
( )
∂ Ch
∂r
+
1 ∂ ue
+
∂ Cv
∂z For a heterogeneous soil

∂t ∂r r ∂r ∂z

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 CVG 5175

Example 3
● A water tank, with a diameter of 2 m, imposes
a stress increase of 50 kPa at the surface of a
uniform clay layer, 8 m thick. Find the excess
pore water pressure and degree of
consolidation within the clay layer after 15
days. The clay has a coefficient of
consolidation Cv=1.10 m²/yr and has dual
drainage.

57
 CVG 5175

Example 3
The boundary conditions in this case will be the same as for example 1.

B/2

No flow boundary

Constant head boundary (h=0 in this case)

58
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Example 3
● Although the boundary conditions are the
same, both the stress distribution and the
differential equations will be different.

59
 CVG 5175

Example 3
● We have a uniform soil and the governing
differential equation is given by:
∂2 ue 1 ∂ ue ∂2 ue
∂ ue
∂t (
=C h 2
+
∂r r ∂r )+C v
∂ z2

60
 CVG 5175

Example 3
● We have a uniform soil and the governing
differential equation is given by:
∂2 ue 1 ∂ ue ∂2 ue
∂ ue
∂t
=C h( 2
+
∂r r ∂r
+C v
∂ z2 )
● Which in difference equation becomes:
n+1 n n n n n n
u i , j− u i , j
Δt (
=C h
u i+1, j −2 ui , j + u i−1, j 1 u i+1, j − ui−1, j

n
Δr
2

n
+
r
n
2Δr )
u i , j+1−2 u i , j + u i , j−1
+C v
Δ z2
61
 CVG 5175

Example 3
● We have a uniform soil and the governing
differential equation is given by:
∂2 ue 1 ∂ ue ∂2 ue
∂ ue
∂t
=C h ( 2
+
∂r r ∂r
+C v
∂ z2 )
● Which in difference equation becomes:
n n n n n
n+1 n
(
u i , j− ui , j =C h Δ t
ui+1, j−2 u i , j + u i−1, j 1 ui+1, j − ui−1, j

n
Δr
2

n
+
n
r 2Δr )
u i , j+1−2 ui , j + ui , j−1
+C v Δ t
Δ z2
62
 CVG 5175

Example 3
● We have a uniform soil and the governing
differential equation is given by:
∂2 ue 1 ∂ ue ∂2 ue
∂ ue
∂t
=C h 2
+
∂r r ∂r( +C v
∂ z2 )
● Which in difference equation becomes:
Ch Δ t Ch Δ t 1 n
n+1 n
u i , j− ui , j =
Δr
2 ( u
n
i+1, j −2
n
u i,j +
n
u i−1, j ) +
2Δ r r ( ( ui+1, j −
n
ui−1, j ) )
+C v Δ t n n n
2 ( u i , j+1 −2 ui, j + u i , j−1 )
Δz
63
 CVG 5175

Example 3
● We have a uniform soil and the governing
differential equation is given by:
∂2 ue 1 ∂ ue ∂2 ue
∂ ue
∂t
=C h 2
+
∂r r ∂r( +C v
∂ z2 )
● Which in difference equation becomes:

1 n
n+1 n n n n
(
u i , j− ui , j =ρh ( ui+1, j −2 u i , j + ui−1, j ) +ρr ( u i+1, j − nui−1, j )
r )
+ρ v ( nui , j+1−2 nui , j + nui , j−1 )

64
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Example 3
● We have a uniform soil and the governing
differential equation is given by:
∂2 ue 1 ∂ ue ∂2 ue
∂ ue
∂t
=C h 2
+
∂r r ∂r( +C v
∂ z2 )
● Which in difference equation becomes:

1 n
n+1 n n n n
(
u i , j− ui , j =−( 2ρh +2ρ v ) u i , j +ρh ( ui+1, j + u i−1, j ) +ρr ( ui+1, j −nui−1, j )
r )
+ρv ( nui , j+1 + nui , j−1 )

65
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Example 3
● We have a uniform soil and the governing
differential equation is given by:
∂2 ue 1 ∂ ue ∂2 ue
∂ ue
∂t
=C h (
2
+
∂r r ∂r
+C v
∂ z2)
● Which in difference equation becomes:

1 n
n+1 n n n
(
u i , j= ( 1−2ρh −2ρv ) u i , j +ρh ( ui+1, j + u i−1, j ) +ρr ( ui+1, j− nui−1, j )
r )
+ρv ( n ui , j+1 + nui , j−1 )

66
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Example 3

n+1 n n n n n
ui , j= ( 1−2ρh −2ρv ) u i , j +ρh ( ui+1, j + u i−1, j ) +ρv ( ui , j+1 + ui , j−1 )
1 n
+ρr ( r
( n
u i+1, j − u i−1, j ) )
where

Ch Δ t Cv Δ t Ch Δ t
ρ h= 2
ρv = ρr =
Δr Δ z2 2Δr

67
 CVG 5175

Example 3
● When r=0
1 n
( n
ρr ( ui+1, j− ui−1, j )
r )

68
 CVG 5175

Example 3
● When r=0

( nui+, j −nui−1, j )=0 (because of axissymmetry)

● Therefore:
1 n
( )
ρr ( ui+1, j− nui−1, j ) =0
r

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