In engineering practice

the subsoil with vertical drains is often composed of multi-layer strata and the subsoil is partially penetrated by vertical drain wells. Based on the assumptions that the section with vertical drains satisfies equal strain condition and the section without vertical drains satisfies Terzaghi’s one dimensional consolidation theory

the existing simplified consolidation theory of ground with partially penetrated vertical drain wells is developed so that multi-layer subsoil can be take into account. The orthogonal relation of the system is obtained using the boundary conditions and continuity conditions in vertical direction. The consolidation solutions of the system is presented. The solution has comprehensive applicability. The existing consolidation solutions of simplified ground with partially penetrated vertical drain wells can be obtained by changing the number of the stratum of the section with vertical drain wells and the section without it. The solution has been coded into a program and a case is analyzed using it. Analysis shows that the average degree of consolidation of the system defined by pore pressure is different from that defined by settlement. It also shows that existence of crust can accelerate the consolidation of the stratum.