Objective 4.

07: Terzaghi’s Theory of One-Dimensional Consolidation

Terzaghi’s theory describes the relationship among the following three parameters:

1. the excess pore water pressure, ue,

2. the depth, z below the top of the clay layer, and

3. the time, t from the instantaneous application of a total stress increment

Terzaghi made eight assumptions in developing his theory:

1. the soil is homogeneous

2. the soil is fully saturated

3. the solid particles and water are incompressible

4. the compression and flow are one-dimensional (vertical)

5. strains are small

6. D’Arcy’s law is valid at all hydraulic gradients

7. the coefficient of permeability, k and the coefficient of volume compressibility, mv

remain constant throughout the process

8. there is a unique relationship, independent of time, between void ratio and effective
stress
 ∂ue ∂ ue 2
= cv
∂t ∂z 2
where cv is the coefficient of consolidation:

k
cv =
mv γ w
Time Factor, Tv:

cv t
Tv = 2
d
 At U = 50%, using curve 1, Tv = 0.196
This means that time = t50 (elapsed time to 50% consolidation).
So, rearranging gives a new expression for cv:
 2
0.196d
cv =
t 50
4.08 Coefficient of Consolidation

as is dial reading corresponding to U = 0% or the start of the consolidation process

a0 is the initial dial reading (which cannot be plotted due to the logarithmic scale
(time = 0) and which precedes the consolidation process

• between a0 and as Initial Compression takes place as small pockets of air in the soil
are squeezed out (the specimen is generally a bit below full saturation at the start
of the test)
• between as and a100 Primary Compression takes place
• dial readings below a100 (times after U = 100%) are in Secondary Compression (soil
continues to compress indefinitely)

4.09 Compression Ratios

a0 − as
Initial Compression Ratio: r0 =
a0 − af

as − a100
Primary Compression Ratio: rp = (log time)
a0 − af

Secondary Compression Ratio: rs = 1 − (r0 + rp )

4.10 Secondary Compression

Terzaghi assumed that changes in void ratios during consolidation occurred exclusively
due to the dissipation of excess pore water pressures at a rate governed by the
permeability of the soil.

Experimental data indicate that compression continues at a gradually decreasing rate

after the excess pore water pressure is dissipated.

There are only theories as to why…for example, for laterally confined clays, it is
thought that the clay particles continue to adjust to more stable orientations due to
the structural disturbance from the decrease in void ratio. Also, in thick clay layers
that are subjected to shear stresses secondary compression may be the result of
gradual lateral displacements (no longer zero lateral strain).

The magnitude of secondary compression is higher in normally consolidated clays than

overconsolidated clays.

It is presumed that primary consolidation and secondary compression proceed

simultaneously from the time of loading.