ECNC353: Geotechnical Engineering

Tutorial One Wednesday 30 July 2014

Question one
At a particular site, there is a clay layer of thickness 5 m sandwiched between layers of sand and
gravel, which are able to drain freely. The ground level at the site is to be raised by 2 m by placing a
layer of fill of unit weight 21 kNm-3. To estimate the time that it will take for the clay to settle under
this increased stress, a small sample of clay 100 mm in diameter and 20 mm thick is prepared for
testing in an oedometer. At an appropriate effective stress level, the one-dimensional incremental
stiffness E0’ is found to be 1400 kPa ad it is found that a time of 47 minutes is required for 80% of the
settlement to occur under the corresponding stress increment.

a. Sketch the soil profile and indicate the approximate depth of the sample taken for oedometer
testing.

b. Calculate the total settlement of the clay layer in the field.

c. Using the equations for consolidation from the parabolic isochrone solution, calculate the
coefficient of consolidation, cv, and permeability of the clay, k. (Hint: you will have to select
and rearrange the appropriate equation(s) for the stage of consolidation corresponding to the
data given. Think carefully about the value you select for drainage distance, d).

d. How long will it take for 80% of the settlement of the clay layer in the field to take place?

Submission policy

Please submit you work at the end of the tutorial, before leaving the lecture theatre.

Write your NAME and STUDENT ID in the top right-hand corner of your front page – no name, no
marks! If submitting multiple pages, please staple everything together.

Your submissions will be returned to you as soon as possible via the homework boxes, as per usual.

ENCN353 Tutorial One 2014 1 JJMH