Consolidation Test
Consolidation Test
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
DELHI, INDIA
A REPORT ON
OCT. 02/2019
Student address
i OCT. 02/2019
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ii OCT. 02/2019
LIST OF FIGURES
Pages
1. Figure 1: consolidation test apparatus………………………………………………..……….…..4
2. Figure 2: specimen with ring……………………………………………………………………..…….6
3. Figure 3: prepared specimen for testing……………………………………………….…………..6
4. Graph 1: plot of void ratio v/s log(σ’) curve for loading and
unloading…………………………………………………………………………………………………..……12
5. Graph 2: plot of void ratio v/s log(σ’) curve for determination of preconsolidation
pressure(σ’c)……………………………………………………………………………………………….…...12
6. Graph 3: plot of vertical strain v/s vertical effective stress curve for loading and
unloading…………………………………………………………………………………………………..…….13
7. Graph 4: Plot of dial gauge readings versus square root of time curve for
0.5kg/cm2………………………………………………………………………………………………..………15
8. Graph 5: Plot of dial gauge readings versus square root of time curve for
1.0kg/cm2………………………………………………………………………………………………..………15
9. Graph 6: Plot of dial gauge readings versus square root of time curve for
2.0kg/cm2…………………………………………………………………………………………………..……16
10. Graph 7: Plot of dial gauge readings versus square root of time curve for
4.0kg/cm2………………………………………………………………………….……………………………..16
11.Graph 8: Plot of dial gauge readings versus square root of time curve for
5.0kg/cm2……………………………………………………………………………………………….………..17
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1. TO DETERMINE THE CONSOLIDATION PROPERTIES OF SOIL BY
OEDOMETER TEST.
1.1. PURPOSE:
This test is performed to determine the magnitude and rate of volume decrease that a laterally
confined soil specimen undergoes when subjected to different vertical pressures. From the
measured data, the consolidation curve (pressure-void ratio relationship) can be plotted. This
data is useful in determining the compression index, the recompression index and the
preconsolidation pressure (or maximum past pressure) of the soil. In addition, the data
obtained can also be used to determine the coefficient of consolidation and the coefficient of
secondary compression of the soil.
1 OCT. 02/2019
1.4. PRINCIPLES:
When a compressive load is applied to soil mass, a decrease in its volume takes place, the
decrease in volume of soil mass under stress is known as compression and the property of soil
mass pertaining to its tendency to decrease in volume under pressure is known as
compressibility. In a saturated soil mass having its void filled with incompressible water,
decrease in volume or compression can take place when water is expelled out of the voids.
Such a compression resulting from a long time static load and the consequent escape of pore
water is termed as consolidation. Then the load is applied on the saturated soil mass, the
entire load is carried by pore water in the beginning. As the water begins escaping from the
voids, the hydrostatic pressure in water gets gradually dissipated and the load is shifted to the
soil particles which increases effective stress on them, as a result the soil mass decrease in
volume. The rate of escape of water depends on the permeability of the soil.
a. From the sample tube, eject the sample into the consolidation ring. The sample
should project about one centimetre from outer ring. Trim the sample smooth and
flush with top and bottom of the ring by using a knife. Clean the ring from outside
and keep it ready from weighing.
b. Remoulded sample :
iii. Compact the specimen in compaction mould in three layers using the
standard rammers.
iv. Eject the specimen from the mould using the sample extractor
When the load is applied to a fine-grained soil that is either nearly or completely saturated the
time for all the plastic deformation and void ratio reduction to take place is much longer. The
Length of time for this process to take place will depend on several factors, of which the
primary ones are
a. Degree of saturation
b. Coefficient of permeability of soil
c. Viscosity and compressibility of the pore fluid
2 OCT. 02/2019
d. Length of path the expelled pore fluid must take to find equilibrium.
Hence, consolidation may be defined ad that plastic deformation with void ratio reduction
(Generally termed as settlement ΔH) which is a function of time and excess pore water
pressure, or
ΔH = f (t)
One dimensional consolidation is that, with a metal ring confining the sample no lateral soil
or water movement takes place – all water flow and soil movement are in the vertical
direction.
The main purpose of consolidation test is to obtain soil data which are used in predicting the
rate and the amount of settlement of structure. The two most important soil properties
furnished by a consolidation test are the coefficient of compressibility (av), through which
one can determine the magnitude of compression and the coefficient of consolidation (Cv)
which enables the determination of the rate of compression under a load increment. It also
gives the useful information about stress history of the soil. It is used to predict the
settlements of structures in the field.
3 OCT. 02/2019
1.6. SAMPLE PREPARATION:
4 OCT. 02/2019
1.7. TEST PROCEDURE:
5 OCT. 02/2019
13. Apply an initial setting load to give a pressure of 0.05 kg/cm2 to the assembly so that
there is no swelling and allow the setting load to stand till there is no change in the
dial gauge reading or for 24 hours. Take the final gauge reading under the initial
setting load.
14. Normal sequence of pressure to be applied is 0.1, 0.50, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, and 8.0kg/cm2
and take the dial gauge reading after application of each load at a time sequence of
0.25, 1.0, 2.25, 4.0, 6.25, 12.25, 16, 20, 25, 36, 49, 64, 81, 100, 121, 144, 169, 196,
225, 289, 324, 361, 400, and finally 1440 minutes.
15. After the last load increment had been applied and the reading taken, decrease the
load to ¼ of the last load and allow it stand for 24 hours. Take the dial gauge reading
after 24hours. Further reduce the load to ¼ of the previous load and repeat the above
procedure, likewise further reduce the load to ¼ of the previous and repeat the
procedure. Finally reduce the load to the initial setting load and keep out for 24 hours
and take the final dial gauge reading.
16. Dismantle the assembly. Take out the ring with the specimen. Wipe out the excess
surface water using bloating paper and remove the filter paper both side the specimen
17. Take weight of the ring with specimen (W3).
18. Dry the specimen in oven for 24 hours and determine the dry weight of the specimen.
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1.8. COMPUTATIONS PART:
2. Height of solids.
Hs= …………………………………………………… ……………….... (1.1)
Where Hdr=specimen height, the average of initial height and height after compression
In the log fitting method, a plot is made between dial readings and logarithmic of time, and
the time corresponding to 50% consolidation is determined.
In the square root fitting method, a plot is made between dial readings and square root of
time, and the time corresponding to 90% consolidation is determined.
5. Coefficient of compression or Compression Index, Cc.
Plot the void ratio, e versus log σ’. The slope of the straight line portion, that is, for the soil in
the normally consolidated state, is designated as Cc. This can be directly obtained from the
plot or calculated as
7 OCT. 02/2019
e2 e1 e
Cc
( )'
( ' ) …………………………………………………... (1.5)
log z' 2 log z' 2
( z )1 ( z )1
( z ) 2 ( z )1 z m2
mv
( z' ) 2 ( z' )1 ( z' ) 2 ( z' )1 kN …………………………………..…… (1.6)
8. Coefficient of compressibility. av
av= ………………………………………………………………………………………(1.7)
K= ………………………………………………………………………... (1.8)
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1.9. OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS:
9 OCT. 02/2019
Volume
Void Ratio Compressibility
Strain
Compression Deformatio Cumulative cumulative
under load
load n under of Final Strain
S.NO` Void Ratio increment Incremental Changes
each deformatio Specimen
loading n height
2.00 0.50 0.150 0.150 20.54 0.7333 0.007 0.007 0.0127 0.50 1.7460
3.00 1.00 0.352 0.502 20.19 0.7036 0.024 0.032 0.0297 0.50 1.7460
4.00 2.00 0.548 1.050 19.64 0.6574 0.051 0.082 0.0462 1.00 1.7460
5.00 4.00 0.689 1.739 18.95 0.5992 0.084 0.166 0.0581 2.00 1.7460
6.00 8.00 0.739 2.478 18.21 0.5369 0.120 0.286 0.0624 4.00 1.7460
7.00 4.00 0.027 0.027 18.24 0.5392 -0.001 0.285 -0.0023 -4.00 1.7460
8.00 2.00 0.089 0.116 18.33 0.5467 -0.006 0.278 -0.0075 -2.00 1.7460
9.00 1.00 0.126 0.242 18.45 0.5573 -0.013 0.265 -0.0106 -1.00 1.7460
9.00 0.50 0.155 0.397 18.61 0.5704 -0.022 0.243 -0.0131 -0.50 1.7460
10.00 0.10 0.256 0.653 18.87 0.5920 -0.036 0.207 -0.0216 -0.40 1.7460
11.00 0.00
10 OCT. 02/2019
Table 2: data analysis for consolidation parameters……….. (cont.… from back Table)
11 OCT. 02/2019
Graph 1: Plot of void ratio V/S log (σ’) for loading and unloading
Graph 2: Plot of void ratio V/S log(σ’) for determination of preconsolidation pressure(σ’ c)
12 OCT. 02/2019
Graph 3: Plot of vertical strain V/S vertical effective stress for loading and unloading
13 OCT. 02/2019
Table: 3 data analysis for determining t90 time
Elapsed
Square rout of Pressure intensity (kg/cm2)
Time
Time (min)
(min)
0.5 1 2 4 8
0 0 2.5 2.17 1.795 1.1 0.25
0.25 0.5 2.475 2.13 1.685 1.02 0.201
1 1 2.46 2.105 1.625 0.965 0.165
2.25 1.5 2.446 2.09 1.6 0.931 0.14
4 2 2.437 2.08 1.581 0.905 0.12
6.25 2.5 2.43 2.073 1.568 0.89 0.107
9 3 2.423 2.067 1.558 0.88 0.095
12.25 3.5 2.418 2.061 1.55 0.87 0.085
16 4 2.413 2.055 1.54 0.86 0.076
25 5 2.407 2.048 1.53 0.845 0.065
36 6 2.401 2.043 1.52 0.836 0.058
49 7 2.398 2.038 1.51 0.825 0.0501
64 8 2.395 2.034 1.502 0.815 0.043
81 9 2.391 2.033 1.495 0.807 0.039
100 10 2.389 2.03 1.49 0.801 0.036
1440 37.95 2.35 1.998 1.45 0.761 0.022
Elapsed Pressure intensity (kg/cm2)
Square rout of
Time
Time (min)
(min) 4 2 1 0.5 0.1
0 0.00 0.028 0.12 0.19 0.31 0.48
10 3.16 0.045 0.135 0.257 0.381 0.52
20 4.47 0.048 0.1375 0.263 0.389 0.56
30 5.48 0.049 0.138 0.264 0.39 0.567
1440
14 OCT. 02/2019
Graph 4: Plot of dial gauge readings versus square root of time curve for 0.5kg/cm2
Graph 5: Plot of dial gauge readings versus square root of time curve for 1.0kg/cm2
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Graph 6: Plot of dial gauge readings versus square root of time curve for 2.0kg/cm2
Graph 7: Plot of dial gauge readings versus square root of time curve for 4.0kg/cm2
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Graph 8: Plot of dial gauge readings versus square root of time curve for 8.0kg/cm2
1.10.1. Results
The average value of coefficient of consolidation using the square root time
method (Cv) is 2.30 *10-3 cm2/kg. It is determined using dial gauge reading versus
square root time curve plot of graph [4-8] and on table: 2, column [13] using t 90
time values.
From the slope of curve plotted between logarithmic of pressure versus void ratio,
of straight portion of curve,1` plot of graph [1] the value of compression index
(Cc) is 0.2002 on table: 2 column [16].
The average value of coefficient of compressibility (av) is 0.0400cm2/kg. on Table:
2, column[12]
From the slope of curve plotted between logarithmic of pressure versus void ratio,
curve plot of graph [1] the value of recompression index (Cr) is 0.278 on table: 2
column [17].
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From the slope of curve plotted between vertical effective stresses versus strain,
curve plot of graph [3] the value of coefficient of volume compressibility (mv) is
0.022cm2/kg, on table: 2, column [14].
The coefficient of permeability (k) is 5.5*10 -5cm/sec. calculated by using, cv and
av values on table: 2, column[15].
From the slope of curve plotted between logarithmic of pressure versus void ratio,
curve plot of graph [1] by using Casagrande(1936) method the value of
precosolidation pressure (σ’c) is 1.60kg/cm2 on table: 2 column [18].
1.10.2. Discussions
Consolidation is the process that involving the soils decreasement in volume. According to
Karl Teraghi, consolidation is any process which involves decrease in water content of a
saturated soil with replacement of water by air. In general it is the process in which reduction
in volume take place by removal of water under long term static loads. It occurs when stress
is applied to a soil that causes the soil particles to pack together more tightly, therefore
reducing its bulk volume. When this occurs in a soil that is saturated with water, water will be
squeezed out of the soil. The magnitude of consolidation can be predicted by many different
methods. In the classical method, developed by terzaghi, soils are tested with an oedometer
test to determine their compression index. This can be used to predict the amount of
consolidation.
From the experiment we have done, we have achieved the objective of the experiment that to
determine the consolidation characteristic of soils of flow permeability. From the graph dial
gauge reading versus square root time we get a curve shape for the sample. From the graph
we find the value of t 90 and other values that is need to calculate the value of coefficient of
consolidation, cv.
18 OCT. 02/2019
The main purpose of consolidation test is to obtain soil data which are used in predicting the
rate and the amount of settlement of structure. The two most important soil properties
furnished by a consolidation test are the coefficient of compressibility (a v), through which
one can determine the magnitude of compression and the coefficient of consolidation (C v)
which enables the determination of the rate of compression under a load increment. It also
gives the useful information about stress history of the soil. It is used to predict the
settlements of structures in the field.
19 OCT. 02/2019
1.11. REFERENCES
1. Braja M. Das (2002) ‘Soil Mechanics Laboratory Manual’, Sixth Edition, Oxford
University Press.
2. ASTM D 2435 - Standard Test Method for One-Dimensional Consolidation
Properties of Soils.
3. IS 2720(Part 15):1986 Methods of test for soils: Determination of
Consolidation Properties (First revision). Reaffirmed- Dec 2016
4. Das, Braja M. Principles of Geotechnical Engineering. Published on 2002. E-book.
20 OCT. 02/2019