9.

ONE DIMENSIONAL SETTLEMENT BEHAVIOUR

9.1 One Dimensional Loading Conditions

Soils are often subjected to uniform loading over large areas, such as shown in Figure 1, from an
embankment. Under such conditions soil which is remote from the edges of the loaded area
undergoes vertical strain, but no horizontal strain. That is strains, and hence surface settlement, only
occur in one-dimension.

Embankment

x
Soil layer 1
Soil layer 2 z

Rock

Figure 1 Embankment loading on a layered soil

The accuracy of this assumption depends on the relative dimensions of the loaded area and
thickness of the soil layer. If the area is relatively large and the thickness of the soil layer relatively
small then the assumption of 1-D conditions will be reasonable.

It is possible to make approximate estimates of surface settlement using the 1-D approach even
when the loaded area is not relatively large. The procedures for doing this are discussed in Section
10 on the calculation of settlement.

9.2 The Oedometer

The behaviour of soil during one-dimensional loading can be tested using a device called an
oedometer, which is shown schematically in Fig. 2. The one-dimensional condition in which the
vertical strain, zz 0, and the lateral strains, xx = yy = 0 is also referred to as confined
compression.

Load Displacement
Loading cap measuring device

Cell

water
Soil sample
Porous disks

Figure 2 Schematic diagram of an oedometer

9.1
The following points may be noted:

1. The soil is loaded under conditions of no lateral strain (expansion), as the soil fits tightly into a
relatively rigid ring.

2. Uncontrolled drainage is provided at the top and bottom of the specimen by porous discs (two
way drainage). In more sophisticated oedometer apparatus control of drainage is possible.

3. A vertical load is applied to the specimen and a record of the settlement versus time is made.
The load is left on until all settlement ceases (usually 24 hours although this depends on the soil
type, impermeable clays may take longer).

4. The load is then increased (usually by a factor of 2, so the vertical stresses might be e.g. 20, 40,
80, 160 kPa). When the maximum load is reached, the soil is unloaded in several increments. If
desired reloading can be carried out. At each step time-settlement records are made.

5. The relationships between voids ratio and effective stress, and settlement and time are found
from the test.

It is conventional to plot the void ratio versus the logarithm of the effective stress in examining the
behaviour of soil, rather than plotting the relationship between effective stress and strain as is often
done in materials testing. The reason for this is that the relationship between effective stress and
voids ratio is fundamental to an understanding of soil behaviour. The relationship obtained is
similar to that between effective stress and strain because changes in voids ratio and strain are
simply related as shown later.

9.3 Relation of volume strain and vertical strain

The volume strain v of an element of material is defined to be the change in volume V divided by
initial volume V0

V
v Note: Compressive strains are positive (1)
Vo

The volume strain is related to the vertical (axial) strain. To show this consider Figure 3.

z
z(1 zz )

x x(1 xx )

(a) Before Deformation (b) After Deformation

Figure 3 Deformation of a soil element

Fig.3 Deformation of a soil element

9.2