Assignment # 02 (L-18CE)

Foundation Engineering

Q. 01 A clay layer, whose total settlement under a given loading is expected to be 16 cm

settles 4 cm at the end of 1 month after the application of load increment. How many
months will be required to reach a settlement of 8 cm ? Assume to have double
drainage. [CLO:2, Taxonomy Level: 4, PLO: 2].

Q. 02 Define consolidation and explain the difference between consolidation and compaction.
Also describe the consolidation theory and define various terms used in consolidation to
draw settlement vs. time graph.

Below the foundation of structure there is a stratum of compressible layer of clay with
7.5 m thickness having incompressible porous strata above and below, and the average
overburden pressure of structure before construction was 111 kN/m2 and after
completion of structure the overburden pressure increased to 177 kN/m2. Odometer test
was carried out on a sample of clay initially 20 mm thick and each pressure was allowed
for 24 hours and the decreased in thickness was measured and the result s are being as
follows Following results were obtained during consolidation test on a sample of
saturated clay initially 25 mm thick with drainage from top to bottom faces of samp le.
[CLO:2, Taxonomy Level: 4, PLO: 2].

Pressure (kN/m2) Thickness (mm)

0.0 20
60 20.5
120 22.2
230 20.15
450 19.25

Under a pressure of 220 kN/m2, 90% of total consolidation took place in 27 minutes,
then find the (i) Pressure settlement of structure (ii) Time in which 90% of this
settlement may occur.

Q. 05 A saturated soil stratum 7 m thick lies above an impervious stratum and below a
pervious stratum. It has a compression index of 0.35 and co-efficient of permeability of
3.9x 10-4 cm/sec. Its voids ratio at a stress level of 170 kN/m2 is 1.85. Determine (i)
The change in the voids ratio due to increase of stress level to 210 kN/m 2. (ii)
Settlement of soil stratum due to the above increase in stress and, (iii) Time required for
50% consolidation. Assume time factor Tv for 50% consolidation as 0.30. [CLO:2,
Taxonomy Level: 4, PLO: 2].[CLO:2, Taxonomy Level: 4, PLO: 2].

Q. 03 A uniform load of 190 kN/m3 is distributed over a large area of the surface of the
ground. The sub-soil consists of a bed of dense sand, containing two strata of clay,
each 5 m thick. The top of the upper layer is 9 m below the ground and of the lower 2 6
m below ground. The compression index for both the layer is 0.46, the water content is
39%, and specific gravity of soil grain is 3.2. The sand weighs 26 kN/m3 and is
completely submerged. Compute the total settlement under the load.