Practical no 13

Consolidation test
Objective
Determination of modulus of compressibility and coefficient of consolidation by Oedometer.

Standard :
ASTM D 2435

Scope:
Consolidation test is performed to determine soil properties to predict the rate and amount of
settlement of structures founded on clays.The four most important soil properties furnished
bythe consolidation test are :

1 . The preconsolidation pressure. This is the maximum pressure that the soil has experienced
in the past

2 . The compression index Cc, which indicates the compressibility of a normally consolidated
soil.

3 . The recompression index Cr, which indicates the compressibility of an over consolidated
soil.

4 . The coefficient of consolidation Cv, which indicates the rate of compression under a load
increment.

Apparatus:
Consolidometer (oedometer) and loading arrangement.
Procedure:
1 . Place the soil sample confined in a ring in the consolidometer b/w top and bottom porous
stones. Internal diameter of the ring (or dia of sample) ranges from 50mm to 100mm. Thickness
of sample should be as small as possible to reduce side friction,a minimum thickness of 20mm
is usually used.

2 . Cell is connected to a water reservoir so as to keep the sample fully saturated throughout
the test.

3 . Dial gauge is used to measure the change in thickness as consolidation takes place .

4 . Loads are applied to the sample in equal increment ranging from a pressure of 12.5 kpa, 25
kpa,50kpaupto 200 kpa.

5 . Each load is applied for 24 hours and the compression of the sample is ,ensured . the
reading of dial guage are taken at intervals of 0.5,1,2,4,8,16,30,60 minutes 2,4,8,16,24 hours.

6 . After 24 hours next load increment is applied , the usual range of load increments are 12.5 ,
25,50,100,200 kpa.

7 . After consolidation under final load increment the load reduced to one-fourth of the final
load and allowed to stand for 24 hours. The sample takes water and swells .the load is finally
reduced to the initial seating load and kept for 24 hours and final dial reading is taken to
measures the rebound.

8 . Immediately after complete unloading , the ring with the sample is taken out. The excess
water is dried with a blotingpaper .the weight of the ring and sample is taken. The sample is
dried in an oven for 24 hours final moisture content is determined.
Consolidation data sheet 1
Clock Elapse d
time time
Dial reading
(min) 12.5kpa 25kpa 50kpa 100kpa 200kpa 400kpa

0
0.1
.25
.5
1
2
4
8
15
30
60
2hrs
4hrs
24hrs
Consolidation test data sheet 2
Load Initial Heights of Change in Final Heights of Void ratio
increment height H0 solids sample sample voids after each
(kpa) (mm) Hs(mm) height ∆ H height Hv1 ,2,3,4,5 increment
(mm) H1,2,3,4,5 (mm) e1,2,3,4,5
(mm)
12.5
25
50
100
200
400
800
1600

Hs = height of solids

Hvo = initial height of voids: H0 - Hs

Where : H0 = initial height of specimen

initial void ratio = e0 = Hv0/Hs

∆ H 1 = record change in height of the specimen due to 1st load increment (i.e 12.5kpa) last dial
reading under 12.5kpa column in the data sheet 2.

Hs = height of solids

Hv1 = initial height of voids: H1 - Hs

Where :

H1 = final specimen height 1st load increment= H0 - ∆ H 1

Final void ratio after 1st load increment = e1 = Hv1/Hs