Coefficient of radial consolidation by the inflection point method

An inflection point is observed in the settlement–square root of time (δt–) curve at a degree of radial consolidation U of 39·3%. The degree of radial consolidation U at the inflection point is independent of the n value (i.e., drainage pattern). The coefficient of radial consolidation is determined by using the observed inflection point in the experimental δt– curve. The proposed inflection point method requires only the identification of inflection point on the δt– curve that can be achieved either by using the finite difference technique or by visual inspection or both together. Existing experimental results of several soils obtained from literature are used to validate the proposed method and compare it with existing methods.