A new method for solving Biot's consolidation of a finite soil layer in the cylindrical coordinate system

A new method is developed to solve Biot's consolidation of a finite soil layer in the cylindrical coordinate system. Based on the governing equations of Biot's consolidation and the technique of Laplace transform, Fourier expansions and Hankel transform with respect to time t, coordinate theta and coordinate r, respectively, a relationship of displacements, stresses, excess pore water pressure and flux is established between the ground surface (z = 0) and an arbitrary depth z in the Laplace and Hankel transform domain. By referring to proper boundary conditions of the finite soil layer, the solutions for displacements, stresses, excess pore water pressure and flux of any point in the transform domain can be obtained. The actual solutions in the physical domain can be acquired by inverting the Laplace and the Hankel transforms.