GGU-CONSOLIDATE: Continuous load application
The previous explanations assume that the load is applied immediately. Generally, however, load application is continuous during the construction phase of the structure. This effect can be considered by the program. To do this, define the load increase as a function of time using a polygon course. A linear increase, for example, would then be converted to a step function. The type of step function is dependent upon the times given by you for consolidation modelling.
If you would like a more precise approximation of the linear course, you need only donate a few additional times in the load increase region when carrying out system input. The load increase need not necessarily be defined as linear but can be entered as any polygon course. In previous program versions only monotonic load increase was allowed. In the current version, modelling with load decrease is also possible.
You will attain theoretically correct results if the consolidation coefficient Cv is the same for load increase and decrease.