Based on Fredlund's one-dimensional (1-D) consolidation theory for unsaturated soils, the solution to consolidation of a two-layer system for unsaturated soil is obtained in matrix form by using differential quadrature method (DQM). The DQ solution can produce highly accurate solutions with a small number of sample points. Due to the uniform matrix structure of the present solution, it is easy to program and many complicated in situ factors can be considered. In addition, the solution can be easily extended to multilayered unsaturated soil profiles. In the case study, the influences of different saturated water permeability ratios k,2 / k,1 and thickness ratios h / h on the dissipation of both water and air phases subjected to instantaneous loading are investigated. The variation of average degree of consolidation versus time and the isochrones along depth for both water and air phases are presented and discussed. It is found that the saturated water permeability ratio has a large influence on the dissipation process of both water and air phases. © 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.