ABSTRACT
Piezocone dissipation tests are routinely used to estimate the in situ coefficient of consolidation (c h ). This is achieved either by extracting a single point of the dissipation curve (usually, the time for 50% dissipation, t50 ) or by adjusting a theoretical solution to the experimental data. Results from a piezocone investigation carried out in the Holocene clay deposit of Tubarão are reported and interpreted to evaluate the accuracy of existing procedures to estimate c h . Explicit recommendations on how to curve fit dissipation curves and use the first and second derivates to estimate t50 are presented. Validation of the proposed method is provided from field tests reaching up to 75% dissipation. The proposed method does not require accurate measurements of equilibrium pressure and relies less on engineering judgment when compared to reference procedures. Furthermore, the method performed reasonably well with a shorter dissipation time (40% dissipation).
