Numerical analysis of Biot's consolidation process by radial point interpolation method

An algorithm is proposed to solve Biot's consolidation problem using meshless method called a radial point interpolation method (radial PIM). The radial PIM is advantageous over the meshless methods based on moving least-square (MLS) method in implementation of essential boundary condition and over the original PIM with polynomial basis in avoiding singularity when shape functions are constructed. Two variables in Biot's consolidation theory, displacement and excess pore water pressure, are spatially approximated by the same shape functions through the radial PIM technique. Fully implicit integration scheme is proposed in time domain to avoid spurious ripple effect. Some examples with structured and unstructured nodes are studied and compared with closed-form solution or finite element method solutions. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.