# Plate for load transfer in consolidation analysis **URL:** \ **Category:** FLAC3D\ **Created:** [March 30, 2025, 5:53am UTC](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/plate-for-load-transfer-in-consolidation-analysis/2010 "2025-03-30T05:53:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![sowmyaramanis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/839c29/32.png) [@sowmyaramanis](https://forum.itascainternational.com/u/sowmyaramanis)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2025, 5:53am UTC](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/plate-for-load-transfer-in-consolidation-analysis/2010/1 "2025-03-30T05:53:08Z")
I am working on consolidation analysis of soft clay improved by columns. I wanted to transfer the load uniformly to the soil and column. Hence I am trying to create a plate. I have tried the following methods. 1. Creation of shell element and linking it with soil/column zones. 2. Creation of a zone and giving the properties of the plate. Either way I am getting a negative pore pressure which is not possible ideally. Can someone help me that what can be done to create a plate for a uniform load transfer and to observe the uniform displacement of the soil/column in consolidation analysis . Thanks in advance. ---
**Author:** ![cheng](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecccb3/32.png) [@cheng](https://forum.itascainternational.com/u/cheng)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2025, 5:51pm UTC](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/plate-for-load-transfer-in-consolidation-analysis/2010/2 "2025-04-09T17:51:53Z")
To have “uniform displacement”, just use velocity/displacement control. There are many many examples in the doc. ---
**Author:** ![sowmyaramanis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/839c29/32.png) [@sowmyaramanis](https://forum.itascainternational.com/u/sowmyaramanis)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2025, 8:55am UTC](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/plate-for-load-transfer-in-consolidation-analysis/2010/3 "2025-04-18T08:55:47Z")
But I’m trying working on consolidation analysis. And here I want to know the displacement that can occur for the applied load. That displacement has to be uniform at the entire top surface of the model. I guess then in this case the velocity or the displacement cant be applied I believe. In other softwares, the uniform displacement at the top surface is been achieved as the load/stress is applied through a plate. Kindly share your opinion for a better clarity. ---
**Author:** ![Akheffac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a4c791/32.png) [@Akheffac](https://forum.itascainternational.com/u/Akheffac)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2025, 9:21am UTC](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/plate-for-load-transfer-in-consolidation-analysis/2010/4 "2025-04-18T09:21:35Z")
By definition, if you apply a displacement boundary condition on the top nodes, they will all deform by the same amount of prescribed deformation. The “rigid plate” approach is generally used when prescribing a load or stress on top of it, to make sure the displacements are more or less homogeneous. ---
**Author:** ![sowmyaramanis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/839c29/32.png) [@sowmyaramanis](https://forum.itascainternational.com/u/sowmyaramanis)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2025, 9:54am UTC](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/plate-for-load-transfer-in-consolidation-analysis/2010/5 "2025-04-18T09:54:58Z")
So for performing the consolidation analysis, where I require a uniform displacement at the top surface together, am I supposed to apply velocity/disp or apply stress through rigid plate? ---
**Author:** ![Akheffac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a4c791/32.png) [@Akheffac](https://forum.itascainternational.com/u/Akheffac)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2025, 2:11pm UTC](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/plate-for-load-transfer-in-consolidation-analysis/2010/6 "2025-04-18T14:11:49Z")
Applying disp seem the most straight forward way to go. You can then calculate the corresponding stresses on the top grid points using the method shown in the tutorials. ---
**Author:** ![sowmyaramanis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/839c29/32.png) [@sowmyaramanis](https://forum.itascainternational.com/u/sowmyaramanis)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2025, 6:10am UTC](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/plate-for-load-transfer-in-consolidation-analysis/2010/7 "2025-04-19T06:10:39Z")
But I wanted to apply a constant stress and observe the displacement over a period of time? In this case, how can the suggested method work? Any alternatives? ![Screenshot 2025-04-19 113249](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/uploads/itasca/original/2X/3/36542732e280e22cb93722a76449f076a6141573.png) This the plot I am intending to work. Kindly share your suggestion !