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FULL REPORT Consolidation
FULL REPORT Consolidation
1.0 INTRODUCTION
When stress is removed from a consolidated soil, the soil will rebound, regaining some
of the volume it had lost in the consolidation process. If the stress is reapplied, the soil
will consolidate again along a recompression curve, defined by the recompression index.
The soil which had its load removed is considered to be over consolidated. This is the
case for soils which have previously had glaciers on them. The highest stress that it has
been subjected to is termed the preconsolidation stress. The over consolidation ratio or
OCR is defined as the highest stress experienced divided by the current stress. A soil
which is currently experiencing its highest stress is said to be normally consolidated and
to have an OCR of one. A soil could be considered under consolidated immediately after
a new load is applied but before the excess pore water pressure has had time to
dissipate.
Consolidation is defined as the reduction of the volume of a soil due to the expulsion of
water. This will be accompanied by the dissipation of pore water pressures. A laboratory
consolidation test is performed on an undisturbed sample of a cohesive soil to
determine its compressibility characteristics. The soil sample is assumed to be
representing a soil layer in the ground. A conventional consolidation test is conducted
over a number of load increments. The number of load increments should cover the
stress range from the initial stress state of the soil to the final stress state the soil layer
is expected to experience due to the proposed construction. Increments in a
conventional consolidation test are generally of 24 hr duration and the load is doubled
in the successive increment. In this practical class one load increment of a multi
increment consolidation test is conducted and the data will be analysis to obtain the
compressibility characteristics of the soil.
(b). Parameters needed to estimate the rate of consolidation settlement in the field.
Using the data from a single load increment of the test, only the coefficient of volume
compressibility mv can be estimated. Data from all the load increments should be
combined to draw the e vs log σ graph and to obtain the compression index Cc - the
other parameter used to estimate the consolidation settlement. The rate of
consolidation settlement is estimated using the Coefficient of consolidation Cv. This
parameter is determined for each load increment in the test. In this laboratory
assignment, the coefficient of consolidation should be estimated using two methods -
the root time method (Taylor's method) and the log (time) method - Casagrande's
method.
2.0 OBJECTIVE
When a fully saturated soil is subjected to a compressive stress, its volume tends to
decrease. The decreasing of its volume is due to compression of the solid grains and
escape of water from the voids. In a free drainage soil such as saturated sand the escape
of water can take place rapidly. But in clay, due to low permeability, the movement of
water occurs very much slowly and therefore, considerable time may be required for
excess water to be squeezed out to permeable boundaries.
Settlement is the direct result of the decrease in soil volume and consolidation is the
rate of volume decrease with time. The consolidation test is use to estimate the amount
of settlement and time of consolidation. From this test some consolidation parameters
such as coefficient of consolidation (cv), coefficient of volume compressibility (mv),
compression index (Cc), preconsolidation pressure (Pc) can be determined.
Tv H 2
cv
t
Where,
Tv = Time factor
5
Settlement (mm)
10
15
20
x
25 1.15x
2
1
30
80
B = 4A
100
120 100% consolidation line
140
160
1. Consolidation apparatus
- Consolidation ring
- Consolidation cell
- Dial Gauge
- Loading device
3. Vernier caliper
4. Stop-clock readable to 1 s
5.0 PROCEDURES
1. The internal diameter (D) and the height of the ring was measured by using
internal vernier calipers.
2. The ring was weighed to the nearest 0.01g (mR).
3. The specimen was cut and was trim into ring.
4. The initial moisture content from trimming soil are determined.
5. The weight of ring and specimen (m1) are determined.
6. The mass of bulk specimen (m) to the nearest 0.01 g was determined using this
equation
m = m 1 – mR
7. The consolidation ring and specimen (cutting edge uppermost) was placed
centrally on the porous disc.
8. Fit the ring retainer and cell body was fitted and then the upper porous disc was
placed centrally on top of the specimen.
9. The consolidation cell was placed centrally in position on the platform of the
machine base.
10. The end of the beam are lifted to allow the loading yoke to be raised to the vertical
position and the loading stem was adjusted by screwing it downwards until the
end engages closely in the recess on the top of the loading cap
11. The compression dial gauge was attached to the arm on the support post.
12. Weight (2.5 kg) was added carefully to the load hanger
13. Water was added at room temperature to the cell and make sure that the
specimen and upper porous disc are completely submerged.
14. Wind down the beam support and at the same time start the clock.
15. The compression gauge readings and the clock was observed, and the readings
was recorded on a consolidation test form at the selected time intervals.
16. The readings of the compression against time to a logarithmic scale and against
square-root-time are plotted.
7.0 RESULTS AND CALCULATION
BEFORE TEST
d
SETTLEMENT READINGS
0 0 0 12.00 0 0
= 265.7g – 121.0g
= 144.7g
= 144.7g – 102.6 g
= 42.1 g
= 42.1/102.6
= 0,41 x 100%
= 41%
= π (75.0) 2/4
= 4417 mm2
= 4417 x 16
= 70672 mm3
Density, = Weight of sample (ring)
Volume of ring
= 144.7 x 10 -6(Mg)
70672 x 10 -9(m3)
= 2.05 (Mg/m3)
Volume of ring
= 102.6 x 10 -6(Mg)
70672 x 10 -9 (m3)
= 1.45 (Mg/m3)
Date started: 17/2/2011 Sample No: 2
BEFORE TEST
d
SETTLEMENT READINGS
0 0 0 12.15 0 0
= 254.0g – 108.6g
= 145.4 g
= 145.4 g – 109.2 g
= 36.2 g
= 36.2 /109.2
= 0.331 x 100%
= 33.1%
= π (75.0) 2/4
= 4417 mm2
= 4417 x 16
= 70672 mm3
Density, = Weight of sample (ring)
Volume of ring
= 145.4 x 10 -6(Mg)
70672 x 10 -9(m3)
= 2.06 (Mg/m3)
Volume of ring
= 109.2 x 10 -6(Mg)
70672 x 10 -9 (m3)
= 1.55 (Mg/m3)
8.0 OPEN ENDED QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 1
1.6
1.4
1.2
Settlement (mm)
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
0.1 1 10 100
Time (minute)
Cv = 0.197 H²
t50
= 0.197 (0.005)²mm
2min
= 4.925 x 10-6
Cv = 2.463 x 10-13 ( )
1.4
1.2
Settlement (mm)
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
0.1 1 10 100
Time (minute)
Cv = 0.197 H²
t50
= 0.197 (0.005)²mm
2.5 min
= 4.925 x 10-6
2.5
2.) Clay samples collected from 5 metres deep in Batu Pahat has a unit weight () of 18
kN/m3. The following data were recorded during an oedometer test.
Void ratio (e) 0.85 0.82 0.71 0.57 0.43 0.3 0.4 0.5
(i) Plot the graph of void ratio against effective stress on semi-log graph and
determine the compression index (Cc), Preconsolidation pressure (Pc) and
coefficient of volume compressibility (mv)
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
e
slope of the graph
'
e1 es
eavg = (0.85 + 0.5 ) / 2
2
= 0.675
e 1
mv =
1 eavg
'
D = 10m
P 0= d
= 18 10 D = 10m
= 180kN/m2
Pc
Overconsolidation, OCR=
P0
= 150/180
= 0.83 < 1
The soil is over consolidated , OCR<1 . It means that the stress had been applied to
the sample of soil previously is less than the stress applied during that test.
QUESTIONS 2
1.6
1.4
Cummulative compression (mm)
1.2
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
0.1 1 10 100
Square root ime (minute)
t90 = 11.8
Cv =
= 7.072 mm2/min
Cv = 7.072 x 10-6 ( )
= 3.717 m2/year
Sample 2 : Load 5.0 kg (clay soil)
1.4
Cummulative compression (mm)
1.2
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
0.1 1 10 100
Square root ime (minute)
t90 = 10.1
Cv =
= 8.262 mm2/min
Cv = 8.262 x 10-6 ( )
= 4.343 m2/year
2) Clay samples collected from 10 metres deep in Parit Raja has a unit weight () of 20
kN/m3. The following data were recorded during an oedometer test.
Effective Stress (kN/m2) 50 100 200 400 800 1600 400 100
Void ratio (e) 0.95 0.92 0.81 0.67 0.53 0.4 0.5 0.6
(i) Plot the graph of void ratio against effective stress on semi-log graph and determine
the compression index (Cc), Preconsolidation pressure (Pc) and coefficient of volume
compressibility (mv).
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1
Cc = slope of the graph
= 0.92 – 0.53
log(800/100)
= 0.408
e 1
=
1 eavg
'
e
slope of the graph
'
e1 es
eavg
2
0.95 0.6
2
0.775
e 1
Mv =
1 eavg
'
1
(0.465)
1 0.775
0.262
D = 10m
P 0= d
= 20 10 D = 10m
= 200kN/m2
Pc
Overconsolidation, OCR=
P0
150
=
200
= 0.75 < 1
The soil is over consolidated, OCR<1 . It means that the stress had been applied to the
sample of soil previously is less than the stress applied during that test.
9.0 DISCUSSION
From the experiment that we have done, we have achieved the objective of the
experiment that to determine the consolidation characteristic of soils of flow
permeability. In this experiment we used 2 different weight of slity clay soil which
weighed 2.5 kg for sample 1 and 5.o kg for sample 2.
From the graph settlement versus log time and graph settlement versus square
root time, we get a curve shape for the both sample. From the graph we can find the
value of t50 t90 and other value that is need to calculate the value coefficient of
consolidation, Cv. from the calculation we can see that the value of value coefficient of
consolidation, Cv will increase when the load that we applied to the peat soil ins
increase.
10.0 CONCLUSION
Based on the experiment that we have done, we have determined the consolidation
characteristic of soils of flow permeability through the data that we get after
experiment has finished. Moisture content supply sample silty clay soil is 60.76%. The
coefficient of consolidation, Cv using Casagrande method for Sample 1 is 1.294 x 10-6
m2/year.
And sample 2 is 1.01 x 10-6 m2/year. Cv using Taylor method for sample peat soil is 3.717
m2/year and sample clay soil is 4.343 m2/year. Based on the experimental data obtained
in the laboratory, dry density and specific gravity values of tropical peat correlate well.
When large loads such as embankments are applied to the surface, cohesive sub soils
will consolidate, such as settle over time, through a combination of the rearrangement
of the individual particles and the squeezing out of water. The amount and rate of
settlement is of great importance in construction of such structure on a curtain soil
area. For example, an embankment may settle until a gap exists between an approach
and a bridge abutment. The calculation of settlement involves many factors, including
the magnitude of the load, the effect of the load at the depth at which compressible
soils exist, the water table, and characteristics of the soil itself.
11.0 REFERENCES
1. A study on consolidation, shear strength and bearing capacity of soft soil improved by
vertical drain / Farhan Mohammad Ab Latif
2. The study of slag-lime stabilization on consolidation behaviour of Batu Pahat soft clay /
Hemawathy Sathasivam