CONSOLIDATION TEST

The main purpose of consolidation test is to obtain soil data which is used in
predicting the rate and amount of settlement of structures founded on clay.
Objective: To determine the magnitude and rate of the consolidation of a
saturated soils
Apparatus: Consolidometer, Dial gauge reading, Loading device, Stop watch,
Sample trimming equipment.
Procedure:
Preparation of Sample
 Moist fine-grained soil is placed in the consolidation ring. Excess soil from
the top of the ring is carefully trimmed with the top of the ring

Preparation of Test
 The height, diameter and mass of the consolidation ring are measured. The
initial wet mass of the soil sample and ring are measured. The trimmings
were used for a water content determination.
 The test specimen in the ring is placed in the consolidometer and then it is
placed in the loading device. The deformation gauge is adjusted and an
initial reading obtained. Water is added to the consolidometer periodically
to saturate the soil.

Consolidation Test
 For consolidation test, increments of total stress is applied to the soil
specimen.
 The standard loading schedule is determined using a load increment ratio
of one obtained by doubling the total stress on the soil. The load values
should be 20, 60, 100, 200, 400, 800 kPa.
 For each load increment, the dial readings are recorded at time intervals of
approximately 0, 10s, 20s, 30s, 1min, 2min, 3min, 4min, 6min, 9min, 12min,
16min etc to obtain the deformation,d.
 After completion of all load increments, the soil from is removed from the
consolidometer and the final water content is determined.