Estimates of the transition point and consolidation index

The choice of transition point between filtration and consolidation is crucial to the accurate determination of parameters that characterise expression as well as any subsequent determinations of scale-up parameters (Anderson et al, 2004 Christensen et al, 2006 Salmela and Oja, 2005 Wakeman et al, 1991). As illustrated in Sections 4.5.2-4.5.5, a plot of -AL/aVt vs. t can be successfully used to estimate the transition, however, alternative and more refined approaches are also available (Tarleton and Wakeman, 1999). 

Provided that the scatter in the original t vs. V data is not excessive, the correct transition is chosen when G is maximised. 

In Example 4.5 the value of the consolidation index (v) was calculated by visually comparing theoretical values of U vs. Vj as calculated from equation 

The methodologies presented in this section, as well as many of the procedures defined in Sections 4.1-4.5, are used for data analysis in the Filter Design Software described in Chapter 5 (see also Filter Design Software (2005)). 

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