FEATURES
FINITE STRAIN FSConsol utilizes the Finite (or Large) Strain Consolidation theory as developed by Gibson, England & Hussey (Geotechnique,1967). The advantages of the Finite Strain theory over the classical infinitesimal (Terzaghi) theory are:
FSConsol is written for the Windows 7 to 10 operating systems. As such, it provides the user with e
asy to use custom dialogs for entering input data, including graphical representation of the input data.
NON-LINEAR COMPRESSIBILITY The two main material properties controlling the amount and rate of consolidation are:
The generality of the Finite Strain Theory allows these relationships to be highly non-linear. With FSConsol these relationships can be entered either:
Once entered, these relationships can be viewed graphically, to confirm the correctness of the input.
FSConsol models two basic types of analyses, each available with several different options:
Selecting the Pond Analysis option allows the user to simulate a mine tailings pond scenario (or any other similar scenario) in which a slurry is gradually deposited into a settling pond. In this option, the user specifies the filling rates, pond areas, and boundary conditions. The second type of problem that can be analysed is the Tank Analysis. This type of analysis is intended to simulate a problem in which a container is instaneously filled. This type of analyses is useful for back analysing laboratory settling experiments. The user can specify whether there are one or more instantaneous events for a given problem.
Since mine tailings ponds are seldom cylindrical, FSConsol allows the user to specify a pond area which increases with elevation. FSConsol then tracks the deposit surface to ensure that the discharge is spread out evenly over the appropriate pond area.
The filling of a tailings pond seldom consists of a single filling rate. With FSConsol, a mine tailings pond can be modelled with multiple filling rates over the life of the tailings pond, including periods where no filling occurs.
Whether a pond or a tank is being modeled, FSConsol can model a surcharge added to the surface. The user has the flexibility of describing a combination of instantaneous loads or ramp loads. For a pond analysis, this feature is useful for modeling the final reclamation cover of the pond. This feature can also be used to model laboratory consolidation tests.
FSConsol allows the user to enter over 30 different material types. For pond analyses, the material type changes at a specified time. For tank analyses, the user can specify several thicknesses of different materials in a given column test. Dialogs allow easy transfer of material type properties from one material type to another.
In addition to an impermeable bottom boundary condition, the user can specify one of a several permeable bottom boundary conditions to accurately model the hydrologic condition at the base of the problem. Two options are available for the top boundary to reflect the water level (or lack thereof) on the surface of the deposit.
There are two basic types of output from FSConsol: With Time and With Depth The data plotted with time includes:
The data plotted with depth includes:
The output can be viewed graphically, print previewed, and printed from within FSConsol. See the Screen Shots page for examples of FSConsol output. The user has control over the titles, axes scale, and other graph elements. The output is also written to a text file for importing to a spreadsheet for further manipulation if desired. In an upcoming version, the ability to track a soil particle in space and time will be added.
INITIAL EXISTING DEPOSIT OPTION For sites with a deposit currently in place, FSConsol allows the user to enter the state of the deposit as an initial condition. That is, the initial void ratio (solids content) and pore pressure can be set to the values found in-situ. This allows the user to determine how the present deposit will consolidate from this point forward as well as how the deposit will respond to surcharge loading or loading from additional slurry." |
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