Section 3.

7
Finite Element Types for
Consolidation Analysis

3.7-1 1.1-1
 Finite Element Types for Consolidation Analysis
➢ In conventional single phase FEM analysis, the element nodal
degrees of freedom comprise the displacements in the key
orthogonal directions, as shown below for the T3 element.
u3y

y u3x
3
u2y
u1y
x u2x
2
1 u1x
Only displacement
degrees of freedom

➢ In consolidation analysis, the excess pore water pressure is

introduced as an additional degree of freedom at the existing
nodes of the finite elements.
➢ As water pressure is hydrostatic (acts equally in all directions), the
excess pore pressure degree of freedom is a scalar quantity (that
is, it has no direction).
3.7-2
 Examples of Consolidation Elements
➢ The figures below show examples of 2-D finite elements with nodal
displacement d.o.f.s (denoted u1x, u1y, etc in black) and excess
pore pressure d.o.f. (denoted p1, p2 in blue).
u3y u3y
p3 p3 u3x
u3x u6y u5y
u2y u5x u
u6x 2y
u1y p2 u1y u4y p2
u2x u2x
u4x
u1x u1x
p1 p1
Constant Strain Triangle Linear Strain Triangle (pore
u3y pressure dof only at corner nodes)
p3 u3x
u6y u5y
u5x u
u6x p5 2y
u1y u4y p2
p6 u2x
u4x
u1x p4
p1
Linear Strain Triangle (pore
3.7-3 pressure dof at all nodes)
 Examples of Consolidation Elements
➢ It is quite common to use the linear strain triangle (or
quadrilateral) with pore pressure dof only at the corner
nodes, as shown below.
u3y
p3 u3x
u6y u5y Linear Strain Triangle
u5x u
u6x 2y (pore pressure dof only
u1y u4y p2
u2x at corner nodes)
u4x
u1x
p1

▪ For such elements, the displacements vary in a quadratic

manner, while the stresses and strains vary in a linear
manner (because strain is a derivative of displacement)
▪ Based on the three corner nodes with pore pressure dof, the
excess pore pressure varies in a linear manner across the
element.
▪ Hence, the excess pore pressure and the stresses are
compatible, i.e., they both vary linearly across the
3.7-4 element.
 Examples of Consolidation Elements
➢ If we use the linear strain triangle with pore pressure
dofs at all nodes, then
u3y
p3 u3x
u6y u5y
u5x u Linear Strain Triangle (pore
u6x p5 2y
u1y u4y p2 pressure dof at all nodes)
p6 u2x
u4x
u1x p4
p1

▪ For such elements, the displacements vary in a quadratic

manner, while the stresses and strains vary in a linear
manner (because strain is a derivative of displacement)
▪ Based on all six nodes having pore pressure dof, the excess
pore pressure varies in a quadratic manner across the element.
▪ Hence, the excess pore pressure and the stresses are
incompatible, i.e., they do not vary according to the same
order.
3.7-5
 Examples of Consolidation Elements

➢ The same applies to our simple three node constant

strain triangle.
➢ For the CST or T3 element, the displacement varies
linearly along the triangle, while the strains and
stresses are constant over the element.
➢ However, if pore pressure dofs are assigned to all three
nodes, then the pore pressure variation is linear.
➢ Hence, strictly speaking, there is some compatibility
issue between the stresses and the pore pressure.
➢ In practice, people still use such ‘incompatible’
elements, such as 4-node quadrilaterals, for
consolidation-type analysis (especially Abaqus users in
biomedical applications).
3.7-6
 Examples of Consolidation Elements
Plaxis uses 6-node and 15-node triangular elements.

Are these compatible or incompatible elements w.r.t.

consolidation formulation? See below.
Taken from Plaxis Scientific Manual Chapter 4 (Consolidation Theory):

3.7-7