In order to perform a time-dependent consolidation analysis:
Select the Time-dependent Consolidation Analysis checkbox under the General tab in the Project Settings dialog. This will enable the time-dependent modeling features in Settle3D.
NOTE: if the Groundwater Analysis option in Project Settings is not already turned on, then you will see a message dialog indicating that the groundwater analysis option will automatically be turned on, because groundwater (pore pressure) must always be considered for time dependent consolidation.
Select the Time Units (seconds, minutes, days, months, years) which are most appropriate for your model. Note: for computational purposes, 1 month is assumed to be 1/12 of a year or 365/12 = about 30.4 days.
When the Time-dependent Consolidation Analysis checkbox has been selected in Project Settings, you will be able to define:
Time-dependent material properties in the Soil Properties dialog.
Time-dependent loading conditions.
Times at which results are to be computed.
If the Time-dependent Consolidation Analysis checkbox is NOT selected, then you can carry out a settlement analysis which calculates immediate settlement, and long-term consolidation (at "infinite" time).
See the Settle3D Theory manual for information about the settlement and consolidation calculations used in the program.