Compressibility Of Soils: Solution To Sample Problems

Engr. A.P. Bautista

January 11, 2020

Sample Problem 1: Calculate for the consolidation settlement

Cc pj
∆H = H log
Solution: 1 + e0 p0
p0 = 8.79(1) + 10.59(1.5) + 17.13(1.5)
Calculate Unit Weight Of Soil = 50.57kPa
pf = p0 + ∆p
For the sand on top of the water table: solve for ∆p:
∆p = γL hL
G + GM C = 17.3(3)
γs = γw
1+e ∆p = 51.9kPa
2.62 + 0
= (9.81) ⇒ pf = 50.37 + 51.9
1 + 0.5
pf = 102.27kPa
γs = 17.13kN/m3
 
1/3 102.27
For the sand on submerged in water: ∆H = 2 log
1 + 0.92 50.37
= 0.1068 m
G−1
γs = γw
1+e ∆H = 106.8 mm
2.62 − 1
= (9.81)
1 + 0.5
γs = 10.59kN/m3

For the clay soil:

G−1
γs = γw
1+e
2.72 − 1
= (9.81)
1 + 0.92
γs = 8.79kN/m3

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Sample Problem 2: Solving for the compressibility index, Cc :

Cc = 0.009(40 − 10)
Solution
= 0.27
Item (a) e0 = 1.113
p0 = 180.42
G−1 pf = p0 + ∆p
γb = γw
1+e Solving for ∆p:
Solving for the specific gravity, G: ∆p = 12 N/cm2 (100)2
= 120 kPa
γs
G= ⇒ pf = 180.42 + 120
γw
= 300.42 kPa
27.3
=
 
9.81 0.27
∆H = 8.2
G = 2.783 1 + 1.113
 
300.42
· log
Solving for the void ratio, e: 180.42
= 0.232 m
G · M C = Se
∆H = 23.2 cm
S = 1 (saturated soil)
2.783(0.40) = e
⇒ e = 1.113
2.783 − 1
γb = (9, 81)
1 + 1.113

γb = 8.278 kN/m3

Item (b)

pc = 8.278(4.1) + 10.4(7.2) + 17.9(4)

pc = 180.42 kPa

Item (c)

Cc pf
∆H = H log
1 + e0 p0

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Sample Problem 3: Item (c): Overconsolidated clay
pf = 186.9 kPa < pc
Solution
Item (a): Normally consolidated clay Cs pc
∆H = H log
1 + e0 pf
Cc pf Cc pf
∆H = H log +H log
1 + e0 p0 1 + e0 pc
0.072 150
Cc = 0.009(LL − 10) =8 log
1 + 0.95 136.9
Cc = 0.009(LL − 10) = 0.36 0.36 186.9
+8 log
1 + 0.95 150
Compute the initial and final effective stresses
at the midheight of clay: ∆H = 152.8 cm
po = (γb )clay hclay
+ (γb )sand hsandsat
+ (γd ry)sand hsanddry
po = (19 − 9.81)(4)
+ (18.5 − 9.81)(6)
+ (γd ry)sand hsanddry
= 136.9 kPa
pf = p0 + ∆p
= 136.9 + 50
= 186.9 kPa

 
0.36 186.9
⇒ ∆H = 8 log
1 + 0.95 136.9

∆H = 200 mm

Item (b): Overconsolidated clay

pf = 186.9 kPa < pc

Cs pf
∆H = H log
1 + e0 p0
0.36
Cs = = 0.072
5
 
0.072 186.9
∆H = 8 log
1 + 0.95 136.9

∆H = 40 mm

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Sample Problem 4: Calculate ∆H
Cc pf
Solution ∆H = H
1 + e0
log
p0
Item (a) 0.36 106.45
=3 log
1+1 93.42
q = γDf ∆H = 30.6 mm
= 14.8(1.5)

q = 22.2 kPa

Item (b)

 
3
p0 = (19 − 9.81)
2
+ (18.5 − 9.81)(1.5)
+ 14.8(3 + 1.5)

p0 = 93.42 kPa

Item (c)
For normally consolidated clay:

Cc pf
∆H = H log
1 + e0 p0

Calculating for Cc

Cc = 0.009(LL − 10)
= 0.36
H=3m
e0 = 1.0
pf = p0 + ∆p

Calculate for ∆p

∆ptop + 4∆pmid + ∆pbot

∆p =
6
23.2 + 4(12.22) + 6.1
=
6
= 13.03 kPa
⇒ pf = 106.45 kPa

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Sample Problem 5 Sample Problem 6
Solution Solution
Item (a):
t1 U2
H2 = 12
t = Tp dr t2 U2
Cv
Tv = 0.848(From table 1)
  Degree of consolidation @ t1 = 80,
1
Hdr = (3.2) = 1.6 m
2
∆H
t = 80 days(24)(3600) U1 =
∆Hmax
= 6, 912, 000 sec 100
U1 = (100%) = 55.56%
1602 180
6, 912, 000 = 0.848
Cv
Cv = 0.00314 cm2 /sec Degree of consolidation @ t2 ,

Item (b): 50
U2 = (100%) = 27.78%
180
tf ield (Hdr,f ield )2
=
tlab (Hdr,lab )2
6, 912, 000 (160)2 80 55.562
= =
tl ab (5)2 t2 27.782

tlab = 1.875 hours

t2 = 20 days