On Cryer's problem with large displacements

The consolidation of a porous saturated sphere under an isotropic pressure, and free to drain on its surface, is examined. It is shown that a Mandel—Cryer effect develops irrespective of the magnitude of the strains which occur. Surprisingly, the effect is found to be virtually independent of strain. However, the progress of consolidation is substantially faster in the presence of large strains.