Consolidation Test
Consolidation Test
GEOTECHNIC LABORATORY
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL
ENGINEERING
EXPERIMENT TITLE:
GROUP NO:
LECTURERS NAME:
NAMA
AHMAD FAHMI BIN GHAZALI
MOHAMAD FAKHRI BIN MOHD RODZI
MUHAMMAD FAIZUAN BIN RAMLI
ALEX RAO A/L FRANCIS
MUHAMMAD AZRI BIN NOOR SHAH HIZAL
ABDULLAH BIN ABDUL RAHMAN
MOHAMMAD SHAHRUL HAZRIN BIN MAHAD HAMDI
NURUL SYAHIDA BINTI SAIFUL AZHAR
WANN SHARFRINA BINTI ABDUL HALIM
TABLE OF CONTENTS
NO. MATRIX
16DKA13F1049
16DKA13F1051
16DKA13F1075
16DKA13F1043
16DKA13F1039
16DKA13F1061
16DKA13F1119
16DKA13F1070
16DKA13F1055
1.0 OBJECTIVES
2.0 THEORY BACKGROUND
3.0 EQUIPMENTS
4.0 PROCEDURES
5.0 RESULTS AND SAMPLE CALCULATIONS
6.0 DISCUSSION
7.0 CONCLUSION
8.0 REFERENCES
1.0 OBJECTIVES
effective stress. The process of consolidation continues until the excess pore
water pressure set up by an increase in total stress has completely dissipated.
The simplest case is that of one-dimensional consolidation, in which zero lateral
strain is assumed.
Consolidation
settlement
is
the
vertical
displacement
of
the
surface
Usually, the consolidation process for a soil layer can be divided into 3 main
stages:
Time
Initial
Settlement
Primary
Settlement
Secondary
Settlement
Settlement
1. Initial Settlement
This corresponds to the change in the thickness of the soil layer as some of
the gas pockets entrapped in the soil are squeezed out immediately upon the
addition of load until the soil becomes saturated. At this stage the pore water
is not squeezed out. Hence, all the additional load is taken up by the pore
water pressure.
2. Primary Settlement
At this stage, the pore water pressure is gradually dissipated as water is
squeezed out, resulting in the reduction in the thickness as well as void ratio
of the soil specimen. The additional load will then be gradually borne by the
soil particles.
3. Secondary Settlement
This is the consequence of creep obeys a linear law in the logarithm of time.
Void ratio, e
Increasing applied pressure
Log10 (Load)
A graph of void ratio e against log10 (load).
The virgin compression curve for the soil sample is practically a straight line
which corresponds to the loading curve for a clayey soil layer. If the load is
allowed to released, the curve wont trace back to the original curve but will trace
another curve with a gentler slope. This curve is known as the unloading curve
and the soil sample is said to be over-consolidated. The effective stress at the
intersection between the virgin and unloading curve is known as the precompression stress.
If the same sample is loaded again, the curve will follow the unloading curve and
go back to the virgin curve as the applied stress increases. The degree of
consolidation for an over-consolidated soil is much less than that of an
undisturbed soil; hence it is safer for us to build structures over the overconsolidated soil.
A soil specimen in the form of a disc, enclosed in a metal confining ring which has
a smooth polished surface to reduce side friction, is sandwiched between 2
porous stone discs. The lower porous stone has a diameter slightly larger than
that of the metal ring, with the upper one slightly smaller and hence can move
inside the ring with a small clearance. A metal loading cap is fixed on top of the
upper porous stone. The whole assembly is placed in an open cell of water to
which the pore water in the specimen has free access. A vertical static load is
then applied through a lever system in the loading frame. Under the condition of
zero lateral strain (imposed by the metal confining ring), the compression of the
soil specimen under pressure is measured by means of a displacement dial
gauge operating on the loading cap.
The test procedure is standardized in BS 1377 (Part 5) [4]. The initial pressure
applied will depend on the type of the soil. Then a sequence of pressures is
applied to the specimen, each being double the previous value. It is noted that for
testing soil samples obtained from sites, the number and value of the load
increments will depend on the type of soil as well as on the range of stress
anticipated on site. The pressure applied for the first stage should normally be
equal to the in-situ vertical stress at the depth from which the sample was
obtained. Usually, each pressure is maintained for a period of 24 hours, and in
some exceptional cases a period of 48 hours may be required, so that the
specimen is fully consolidated. Compression readings are observed at suitable
intervals during the period.
At the end of the increment period, when the excess pore water pressure has
completely dissipated, the applied pressure will equal to the effective vertical
stress in the specimen. After full consolidation is reached under the final load,
the load is removed, either in one or in several stages, and the sample is allowed
to swell. The expansion of the specimen due to the removal of the final pressure
is measured. The single-stage swelling period simply enables the specimen to
stabilize before the final water content is determined. Otherwise, swelling might
occur as the specimen is being removed from the oedometer and thus lead to
error.
The results from the test can either be presented by plotting the thickness (or the
ho
h1
percentage change in thickness) of the specimen or the void ratio at the end of
each increment period against the corresponding effective stress in either a
natural or logarithmic scale. The void ratio at the end of each increment period
can be calculated from the dial gauge readings and either the water content or
dry weight of the specimen at the end of the test as follows:
Water
Soilds
hs
Phase Diagram
= wf
= ef = wfGs
= h0
= h
= ei = ef + e
where
ei
ho hs
hs
ef
h1 hs
hs
e ei e f
ho hs h1 hs ho h1 h
hs
hs
hs
hs
e 1 ei
h
ho
In the same way, e can be calculated up to the end of any increment period.
=W
=A
= hs
= h1
W
A w
= ei
ho hs
hs
=ef
h1 hs h1
1
hs
hs
The compressibility of the clay can be represented by the compression index Cc,
which is the slope of the linear portion of the e - log plot and is
dimensionless. For any two points on the linear portion of the plot,
CC
ei e f
log( 1' / 0' )
The expansion part of the e - log plot can be approximated to a straight line,
the slope of which is referred to as the expansion index Ce.
t 90
0.848d 2
t90
3.0 APPARATUS
1. Consolidation Cell
It is also known as the oedometer. It consists of a metal ring in which a soil
specimen in the form of a disc is enclosed. The specimen is placed between 2
porous stone discs, with the upper one having a diameter slightly smaller than
that of the metal ring and the lower one slightly larger. A loading cap is placed
on the top. The whole assembly is placed in an open cell of water to which the
pore water in the specimen has free access during the test.
3. Loading Frame
It is the location where the sample is under loading.
4. Weights
5. Spatulas
It is used to assist the placement of the soil into the metal ring of the
oedometer. It is also used to level off the soil specimen.
6. Electronic Balance
It is used to weigh the soil samples.
4.0 PROCEDURE
1. Measure the inner diameter and height of the ring and determine its weight.
2. Fill the ring with remoulded soil and re-weigh.
3. Place the ring and soil in the porous plates and bearing plate in position and
fill the cell with water.
4. Place the cell in the loading frame, adjust the lever arm and set the dial
gauge.
5. Apply the first load and note the dial gauge reading at the following times after
applying the load:
1
0.0763
0.0188
Ww
100%
Ws
mw
100%
ms
where
= water content
Ww = weight of water
Ws = weight of solid
mw = mass of water
ms = mass of solid
Void Ratio e
Assume the samples are fully saturated at the beginning of the test.
Therefore, the degree of saturation, Sr is equal to 1. The volume of void is
equal to the volume of water.
Sr
wGs
e
e = wGs
where
when Sr = 1
= void ratio
Sr = degree of saturation
Gs = Specific gravity = 2.65
Sample
Loading (kPa)
25
50
100
200
70.4
74
75.7
75.3
317.4
316.5
314.6
315.9
268.4
267.2
263.4
269.7
91.9
92.3
92.9
94.3
49.0
49.3
51.2
46.2
106.1
100.9
94.8
100.1
46.183
48.860
54.008
46.154
1.2238
1.2948
1.4312
1.2231
Table 2 The data obtained from the test, the calculated final water content w and
the calculated final void ratio of the soil sample.
Loading (kPa)
25
50
100
200
0.1061
0.1009
0.0948
0.1001
1.0408
0.98983 0.92999
0.98198
0.0045723
8.7562
8.3274
7.8240
8.2614
Time t (min)
Sample
Load (kPa)
25
50
100
200
(min1/2)
0
0.006
0.002
0.000
0.000
0.25
0.5
-0.250
-0.371
-1.084
-1.130
1.0
-0.270
-0.436
-1.250
-1.360
2.25
1.5
-0.284
-0.481
-1.406
-1.564
2.0
-0.296
-0.523
-1.554
-1.742
6.25
2.5
-0.304
-0.555
-1.682
-1.872
3.0
-0.312
-0.577
-1.778
-1.952
12.25
3.5
-0.316
-0.597
-1.844
-1.998
16
4.0
-0.320
-0.611
-1.880
-2.018
20.25
4.5
-0.324
-0.621
-1.904
-2.032
25
5.0
-0.328
-0.630
-1.916
-2.040
36
6.0
-0.330
-0.639
-1.926
-2.048
49
7.0
-0.332
-0.647
-1.932
-2.054
64
8.0
-0.334
-0.653
-1.936
-2.060
81
9.0
-0.342
-0.655
-1.938
-1.928
100
10.0
-0.342
-0.657
-1.940
-1.932
-0.346
-0.669
-1.952
-1.938
After rebound
0.026
-0.272
-1.496
-1.292
Table 4 The actual displacement at the corresponding time during the test.
Graph 1 The graph of compression against square root of time for sample A
Graph 2 The graph of compression against square root of time for sample B.
Graph 3 The graph of compression against square root of time for sample C.
Graph 4 The graph of compression against square root of time for sample D.
3. Calculation of the Corrected Compression h0 for the Soil Samples.
From the graphs of compression against square root of time, we can
determine the corrected compression ho for each load increment, i.e. the
difference between the intercept of the initial straight line portion of the curve
with the y-axis and the final compression.
Sample
Loading (kPa)
25
50
100
200
-0.2486
-0.3591
-1.0012
-0.9823
0.026
-0.272
-1.496
-1.292
0.2746
0.0871
-0.4948
-0.3097
(mm)
(mm)
Table 5 The calculated corrected compression after rebound h0 for the soil
sample.
ho
hs
where
Loading (kPa)
25
50
100
200
0.2746
0.0871
-0.4948
-0.3097
8.7562
8.3274
7.8240
8.2614
(mm)
Equivalent Height hs (mm)
Change in Void Ratio e
Table 6 The calculated change in void ratio e for the soil sample.
5. Calculation of the Initial Void Ratio ei for Each Pressure and
Determination of the Compression Index.
Sample
Loading (kPa)
25
50
100
200
1.2238
1.2948
1.4312
1.2231
1.2552
1.3053
1.4945
1.2606
Log (Pressure)
1.3979
1.6990
2.3010
Table 7 The calculated initial void ratio ei for the soil sample.
Compression index
= - (slope of the graph)
= - (-0.0612)
= 0.0612
Load (kPa)
25
50
100
200
3.4
3.3
3.3
2.8
t90 (min)
11.56
10.89
10.89
7.84
-0.31592
-0.58812
-1.8185
-1.9119
where
0.848d 2
t 90
t90
Sample
25
50
100
200
3.4
3.3
3.3
2.8
t90 (min)
11.56
10.89
10.89
7.84
t90 (s)
693.6
653.4
653.4
470.4
Load (kPa)
1/2
18.8
-0.31592
-0.58812
-1.8185
-1.9119
9.5580
9.6941
10.309
10.356
Coefficient of consolidation Cv
(cm2/s)
Table 9 The calculated coefficient of consolidation Cv for the soil sample.
6.0 DISCUSSION
Fig. 6 A typical experimental curve (on the left) and the theoretical curve (on the
right).
The graphs can be divided into 2 regions: the initial settlement and the
primary settlement. The sudden changes in thickness of the 4 samples at the
beginning of the experiment correspond to the stage of initial settlement. As
the loading was just applied, the air pockets entrapped in the soil sample were
squeezed out, causing a sudden compaction of the soil and resulting in
sudden settlements. Hence, the rapid and substantial compression at this
stage was not truly consolidation. That is why when calculating the initial void
ratio ei and the final void ratio, the final compression had to be corrected by
subtracting from it the y-intercept of the initial straight line portion of the curve
in order to obtain the actual amount of compression for calculation.
After the stage of initial settlement, the curve became more or less a straight
line.
This linear portion of the curve right after the initial settlement
corresponds to the stage of primary settlement. In this stage, pore water was
gradually squeezed out of the soil specimen, leading to a reduction in the
thickness as well as the void ratio e of the sample. As time progressed, the
rate of change in the thickness of the soil specimen decreased and the
settlement would finally become almost constant. The soil specimen was said
to be fully consolidated at this stage and the excess pore pressure had all
been dissipated. The applied pressure was equal to the effective vertical
stress in the specimen, and there would be no further reduction in thickness
for soil samples.
discussed in the theory session. However, as the time for the test was not
long enough, the creep effect was not significant in the experiment. Thus,
secondary settlement could not be observed in the four graphs.
The void ratio for sample C (100kPa) is rejected, since it deviates from the
trend line a lot, this may due to some experimental errors.
5. Remarks
According to BS 1377, the oedometer test should be carried out with only one
soil sample which is to be loaded, unloaded and reloaded repeatedly.
However, this procedure would require a long time to complete and quick
results are not possible. Hence, for our experiment, 4 samples were used
instead, each with a different applied load. As a result, even though the
phenomenon of consolidation was studied in this experiment, the findings
might not be accurate enough as the properties of the 4 samples might not be
the same and thus leading to inconsistency errors.
6. Assumptions
In this experiment, calculations and analysis were done based on the onedimensional consolidation theory (put forward by Terzaghi). However, several
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
7.0 CONCLUSION
In the experiment, the consolidation of the remoulded soil sample under four
different applied loadings was studied. It was found that the void ratios e of the
soil samples decreased with time due to the drainage of pore water.
The compressibility index was determined from the graph of void ratio e against
logarithm of applied pressure and was found to be 0.0612. In addition, it was
discovered that the rate of consolidation decreased with time but increased with
the applied loading. The time for 90% consolidation t90 and coefficient of
consolidation Cv were found using the root time method (Taylors method). The
rates of consolidation under four different applied loadings are summarized in the
table below:
Sample
Load (kPa)
25
50
100
200
Coefficient of consolidation Cv
(cm2/s)
Table 10
soil sample under 25, 50, 100 and 200kPa applied loadings.
8.0 REFERENCE
1. R. F. Craig, Soil Mechanics, E & FN Spon Press, 6th Edition, 1997.
2. R. Whitlow, Basic Soil Mechanics, Addison Wesley Longman Limited, 3 rd
Edition, 1995.