Abstract: Based on Terzaghi’s one-dimensional consolidation theory, a numerical simulation procedure of oedometer test is developed using the finite difference method. A numerical simulation program written in C++ is implemented and a Matlab fitting process of automatic solving coefficient of consolidation is also developed. The program can simulate the consolidation process of sample with different sizes (drainage heights). Several effect factors such as drainage height, hydraulic conductivity and initial stress, are discussed in detail. The numerical results indicate that the ratio of consolidation coefficient obtained from square root of time method and log time method decreases with the increasing of drainage height and hydraulic conductivity. This variation is more obvious in the condition of lower drainage height. The less of the initial stress, the more time needed for the primary consolidated process. Finally, the numerical simulation results are compared with a set of test data for different drainage heights. The numerical results indicate that the proposed numerical simulation procedure could simulate the oedometer test well, and make it possible to analyze the consolidation properties for largy size specimens under certain conditions, which have a certain theoretical and practical significance for revealing the deformation of soft soil consolidation.

Key words: soft soil, oedometer test, numerical simulation, drainage height