The two methods for determination for the coefficient of consolidation give comparable results for most of the soils. However, the following points must be carefully noted:

1.  for some soils, the square root of time plot does not give a straight line for the initial portion and therefore, to locate the corrected zero `R_c` becomes difficult. For such soils, the log of time method is better.

2.  The square root of time method is more suitable for soils exhibiting high secondary consolidation. In such soils, the log t-plot does not show the characteristic shape required to locate the point corresponding to `100%` consolidation.

3.  The square root of time method is more convenient for general case, as it requires dial gauge readings covering a much shorter period of time compared with the  log-time method. The latter method requires accurate plotting of the secondary consolidation curve in order to locate the assymptote. Show More

The two methods for determination for the coefficient of consolidation give comparable results for most of the soils. However, the following points must be carefully noted:

1.  for some soils, the square root of time plot does not give a straight line for the initial portion and therefore, to locate the corrected zero `R_c` becomes difficult. For such soils, the log of time method is better.

2.  The square root of time method is more suitable for soils exhibiting high secondary consolidation. In such soils, the log t-plot does not show the characteristic shape required to locate the point corresponding to `100%` consolidation.

3.  The square root of time method is more convenient for general case, as it requires dial gauge readings covering a much shorter period of time compared with the  log-time method. The latter method requires accurate plotting of the secondary consolidation curve in order to locate the assymptote.