Consolidation Theory for Cyclic Loading

For a cyclic-load settlement analysis by the writer 15 yr ago, it was assumed that the material had zero rebound, i.e., an infinite coefficient of consolidation is swell. The result is a very simple solution, which is exact and independent of the length of the cycle of loading. It is shown in Fig. 9(a), which is set out the same as Fig. 5 of the paper. Curve I is the state of consolidation at the end of the first cycle of loading (T^-_1 in paper notation); then the load is removed and the status at T^+_1 is shown as curve 2.