Field Exploration and Soil Testing – Geotechnical Report

The soil at different depth has different shear strength. Regardless of vertical overburden pressure the
soil at 1.5m has high strength than at 3.0m. That the soil at 1.5m depth has relatively higher c-value than
at 3.0m.

2.8. One dimensional consolidation test

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The compression of saturated soil under static pressure is known as consolidation. When saturated clay
water system is subjected to an external pressure, the pressure applied is initially taken by the water in
the pores, resulting hydraulic gradient initiate the flow of water out of the clay mass & the mass being to
compress. The compression rate is very slow as clay soils have very small permeability. So the whole
process is time taking. As water starts squeezing out from voids, portion of the applied stress is transfer
to the soil skeleton. This in turn causes a reduction in the excesses pore pressure. The process of
involving gradual compression occurring simultaneously with a flow of water out of the mass and with
gradual transfer of the applied pressure from the pore water to the mineral skeleton is called
consolidation.

This test is performed to determine the rate and amount of volume changes the laterally confined soil
specimen under goes when subjected to different vertical pressure. From the measured data, the
consolidation curve (pressure void ratio r/ship) can be plotted. This data is useful in determining the
comprehensions index. The recompression index and the pre consolidation pressure (or maximum past
pressure) of the soil was determined. In addition, the data obtained can also be used to determine the
coefficient of consolidation and the coefficient of secondary compression of the soil. The consolidation
properties determined from the consolidation test are used to estimate the magnitude and the rate of
both primary and secondary consolidation settlement of a structure or an earth fill. The test is performed
in a consolidometer or an odometer.

Procedure

[ According to ASTM D2435-96 ]

1. The empty consolidation ring together with glass plate was weighted.
2. The height (h) of the ring and it’s diameter (d) was measured.
3. The initial moisture content and the specific gravity of the soil was determined as per
experiments done before.
4. The sample used was undisturbed.
5. The sample was leveled off carefully.
6. By turning the ring over carefully and the portion of the soil protruding above the ring was
leveled.
7. The specimen plus ring plus glass plat was weighted.
8. The porous stones that have been soaking on the top and bottom surfaces of the test
specimen was centered. To make sure that the stones adhered to the sample the stone was
pressed very slightly. Lower the assembly carefully in to the base of the water reservoir.
The water reservoir was filled with water until the specimen is completely covered and
saturated

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9. By preventing movement of the ring and porous stones. The loaded plates were placed
centrally on the upper porous stone and the loading device was adjusted.
10. The dial gauge was adjusted to a zero reading.
11. With the toggle switch in the down (closed) position.
12. Simultaneously, by opening the valve (by quickly lifting the toggle switch to the up (open
position) and the timing clock started.
13. The consolidation dial readings at the elapsed times were recorded.
14. Steps 11-13 were repeated for different pre-selected pressures.
15. At the last elapsed time reading, the final consolidation dial reading and time was recorded
and that the load was begun to unloading
16. After unloading, the specimen and ring was weighted together once again.
17. The specimen with the ring was oven dried.
18. The weight of dry specimen was determined.
19. The moisture content after the completion of the test was determined.

Computation

At initial condition all the necessary parameters were determined and the results are shown below in
table:

The initial water content determined as:

[A] In the beginning of the test

Sample type : Undisturbed
Ring Area,cm :2 19.63
Height of sample,mm: 20
Seating Load,Kpa 7
Initial Void Ratio, eo: 0.77
Initial moisture
content,% 24.70
Specific Gravity: 2.49
Wet density,g/cm3 1.81

Determination of Initial Moisture Content

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can no. 103 D4

Wt. of can (gm) 15 15
𝑉𝑜𝐺𝛶𝑤 39.27∗2.49∗1
Wt. of can+wet soil 27.12 29.16 Initial void, eo = –1= - 1 = 0.77
𝑊𝑠 55.3
(gm)
Wt. of can+oven dry 24.75 26.32 Determination of wet density, g/cm3:
soil (gm)
Wt. of water (gm) 2.37 2.84 Weight of ring + initial wet soil =142.27g
Wt of dry soil (gm) 9.75 11.32
Moist. Content, % 24.31 25.09 Weight of ring = 71.16g
24.70

Weight of wet soil = 71.11g and volume of ring = 39.27cm3

𝑴 71.11𝑔
Wet density = = = 1.81g/cm3 = 18.11KN/m3
𝑽 39.27𝑐𝑚3

The final condition results are shown below:

[B] In the end of the test

Final Moisture Content,% 28.59
Dry specimen wt (ms), gm: 55.3
Dry density,g/cm3 1.53
Height of Solids(Hs), mm 11.31
Final Void Ratio, ef: 0.63
𝑉𝑓𝐺𝛶𝑤 36.18∗2.49∗1
Final void, ef = 𝑊𝑠
–1= 55.13
- 1 = 0.63,

Where vf = the final volume of the specimen = A*hf = 19.63cm2x1.843cm = 36.18cm3

The final moisture content determination as follows :

Determination of Final Moisture Content

Wt. of ring (gm) 71.16
wet soil+ring (gm) 142.27
oven dry soil+ring (gm) 126.46
Wt. of water (gm) 15.81
Wt of dry soil (gm) 55.30
Moist. Content % 28.59
28.59

At the end of the test, the dry density calculated as:

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Weight of oven dry specimen + ring = 126.46g & weight of ring = 71.16g

The oven dry weight of specimen only = 126.46-71.16 = 55.30g and then

𝑴𝒔 55.30g
Dry density = = = 1.53g/cm3
𝑽 36.18cm3

𝑾𝒔 55.30∗9.81
The height of solid, Hs = = = 1.131cm = 11.31mm
𝑮∗𝜰𝒘∗𝑨 2.49∗9.81∗19.63

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Addis Ababa University

Civil Engineering Department

Geotechnical Laboratory

1D-Consolidation Test

Project: G+3 Health center Building Sample Depth: 3.0m

Description: Red Clay soil with black spot Sample type: Undisturbed

Tested By: Jemal J. with the group memebers Date of testing:

TP No.: 1 Total mass of the sample: 71.11gm

Dial Guage Reading, mm

7 50 100 200 400
800 1600
Time(min.) [kPa] [kPa] [kPa] [kPa] [kPa]
[kPa] [kPa]
0 0.00 0.100 0.210 0.290 0.420
0.606 1.056
0.25 - 0.126 0.244 0.352 0.524
0.860 1.232
0.50 - 0.129 0.246 0.356 0.530
0.880 1.262
0.75 - 0.132 0.248 0.358 0.534
0.890 1.282
1 - 0.133 0.250 0.360 0.538
0.898 1.294
2 - 0.141 0.252 0.364 0.544
0.918 1.326
4 - 0.145 0.254 0.368 0.550
0.938 1.360
8 - 0.151 0.260 0.374 0.558
0.960 1.392
15 - 0.156 0.262 0.378 0.568
0.976 1.422
30 - 0.161 0.266 0.382 0.578
0.994 1.458
60 - 0.170 0.266 0.406 0.586
1.008 1.488
120 - 0.174 0.268 0.410 0.592
1.020 1.502
240 - 0.183 0.280 0.414 0.596
1.028 1.528
480 - 0.208 0.284 0.416 0.602
1.046 1.536
1440 0.10 0.210 0.290 0.420 0.606
1.056 1.574
Cummulative Dial Guage Reading
Dial Guage Reading, mm
1600 800 400 200 100 50 7
[kPa] [kPa] [kPa] [kPa] [kPa] [kPa] [kPa]
1.574 1.056 0.606 0.420 0.290 0.210 0.10
Table -19- Consolidation data and analysis for the 1.5m depth

The initial condition or before the test was begun the initial void ratio determined by formula:

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𝑽𝒐𝑮𝜰𝒘 ∆𝒉𝟏
eo = – 1 and the change in void ratio determined by: ∆e1 = *(1+ eo)
𝑾𝒔 𝒉𝒐

For the first load the final void ratio, e1 = eo - ∆e1

∆𝒉𝟐
For the second load, ∆e2 = 𝒉𝟏
*(1+ e1) and e2 = e1 - ∆e2

Using the above formulas, the final results are shown in the next table.

Final
Applied Dial Change Final Void Void
pressure Reading In Specimen Specimen Height,Hv Ratio, e
P Height Height
(kPa) (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm)
Loading
7 0.000 0.00 20.00 8.69 0.77
7 0.100 0.10 19.90 8.59 0.76
50 0.210 0.21 19.79 8.48 0.75
100 0.290 0.29 19.71 8.40 0.74
200 0.420 0.42 19.58 8.27 0.73
400 0.606 0.61 19.39 8.08 0.71
800 1.056 1.06 18.94 7.63 0.67
1600 1.574 1.57 18.43 7.12 0.63

Table – 20- Consolidation test results and computed void ratios.

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0.77

0.75

0.73
void ratio, e

0.71

0.69

0.67

0.65
1.00 10.00 100.00 1000.00 10000.00
Log (p) ,Kpa

Figure -21- Laod versus void ratio for loading condition

The pre-consolidation pressure and coefficient of compressiblity can be determined from

the e-p graph.

Based on the magnitude of the pre-consolidation pressure, one can define the following
two conditions of a clay layer.

If Pc < the existing overburden pressure, then the clay layer is classified as Normally
consolidated clay.

If Pc> the existing overburden pressure, then the clay layer is classified as over
consolidated clay.

To compute compression index, Cc

– This is numerically equal to the slops of the straight portion of the e-logp
e1  e 2
curve. Cc 
log 2  log
P P1

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0.77

0.76
𝟎.𝟕𝟑−𝟎.𝟕𝟏
Cc =𝟐.𝟕𝟗−𝟐.𝟗𝟓= 0.13
0.75

0.74
void ratio, e

0.73

0.72

0.71

0.70

0.69

0.68
1.00 10.00 100.00 1000.00 10000.00
Log (p) ,Kpa

Figure – 21- Determination of compression index using void ratio versus logarithmic of the load

0.77

0.75

0.73
void ratio, e

0.71

0.69

0.67

0.65 Pc
1.00 10.00 100.00 1000.00 10000.00
Log (p) ,Kpa

Figure -22- Determination of Preconsolidation from e-p graph.

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The coefficient of consolidation for each load increment determined as follows using the method of
square root of time fitting method proposed by Taylor.

Square -root-of -time fitting method for 50kpa

0.000
Deformation on dial raeding, mm

0.050
√t90 = 1.7min
0.100

0.150

0.200

0.250

0.300
0.00 5.00 10.00 15.00 20.00 25.00 30.00 35.00 40.00

Squaroot of time

Square -root-of -time fitting method for 100kpa

Squaroot of time
0.190
Deformation on the dial reading

0.210

0.230 √t90 = 1min

0.250

0.270

0.290

0.310
0.00 5.00 10.00 15.00 20.00 25.00 30.00 35.00 40.00

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Square -root-of -time fitting method for 200kpa

squaroot of time
0.250
0.270
Deformation on the dial reading

0.290
0.310 √t90 = 8min
0.330
0.350
0.370
0.390
0.410
0.430
0.00 5.00 10.00 15.00 20.00 25.00 30.00 35.00 40.00

Square -root-of -time fitting method for 400kpa

Squareroot of time
0.300
Deformation on the dial reading,mm

0.350

0.400
√t90 = 5min
0.450

0.500

0.550

0.600

0.650

0.700
0.00 5.00 10.00 15.00 20.00 25.00 30.00 35.00 40.00

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Square -root-of -time fitting method for 800kpa

Squaroot of time
0.400

0.500
Deformation on the dial reading,mm

0.600

0.700
√t90 = 5.5min
0.800

0.900

1.000

1.100

1.200
0.00 5.00 10.00 15.00 20.00 25.00 30.00 35.00 40.00

Square -root-of -time fitting method for 200kpa

squaroot of time
0.800
Deformation on the dial reading, mm

1.000
√t90 = 5.1min

1.200

1.400

1.600

1.800
0.00 5.00 10.00 15.00 20.00 25.00 30.00 35.00 40.00

Figure-23- Square-root- time Vs Deformation for 50, 100,200,400,800,1600Kpa loads

Using the value of √t90, it is possible to determine the coefficient of consolidation.

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𝟎.𝟖𝟒𝟖∗𝑯𝟐 𝒅𝒓
CV = where Hdr is longest drainage path, for this case the bottom and top pervious
𝒕𝟗𝟎
𝑯
layer. So Hdr = = 0.50*20mm = 10mm. The value of Cv for each load was determined and shown
𝟐
below in the table.

Load (kpa) t90 (min) Cv (cm2/min)

50.00 2.89 0.293
100.00 1 0.848
200.00 64 0.013
400.00 25 0.034
800.00 30.25 0.028
1600.00 26.01 0.033

Discussion

From this one dimensional consolidation test, it is possible to determine the amount of total
settlement that was expected for the structure.

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2.9. Swelling pressure determination

The amount of volume change exhibited by various soils under various placement
conditions varies greatly. Furthermore, it was found that soil obtained from beneath a
structure that has undergone severe foundation movement may not posses high swell
potential. It was suspected that there must be a single property that governs the
swelling characteristics. When an expansive soil is subjected to moisture increment it
will exert an uplift pressure on the structure resting on it . This pressure exerted is
proportional to the swelling potential of the soil. Hence swelling pressure of an
expansive soil is the pressure required to prevent volume change of the soil during
wetting. The swelling pressure is directly proportional to the initial dry density for
constant moisture content.

Procedure

1. The empty consolidation ring together with glass plate was weighted.
2. The height (h) of the ring and it’s in diameter (d) was measured.
3. The sample used was remolded, so that using bulk density of the soil and volume of
the ring, the mass of the soil was compacted determined.
4. The sample was leveled off carefully after compaction.
5. By turning the ring over carefully and the portion of the soil protruding above the
ring was leveled.
6. The specimen plus ring plus glass plat was weighted.
7. The porous stones that have been soaking on the top and bottom surfaces of the test
specimen was centered. To make sure that the stones adhered to the sample the
stone was pressed very slightly. The assembly was lowered carefully in to the base
of the water reservoir. The water reservoir was filled with water until the specimen
is completely covered and saturated.
8. By preventing movement of the ring and porous stones. The loaded plates were
placed centrally on the upper porous stone and the loading device was adjusted.
9. The dial gauge was adjusted to a zero reading.
10. The loading was taken added to maintain the displacement guage remain to zero reading.

Computation

At initial condition all the necessary parameters were determined and the results are shown below
in table:

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The initial water content determined as:

[A] In the beginning of the test

Sample type : Remolded
Ring Area,cm :2 19.63
Height of sample,mm: 20.00
Seating Load,Kpa 7.00
Initial Void Ratio, eo: 0.77
Initial moisture
content,% 30.50
Specific Gravity: 2.49
Wet density,g/cm3 1.81

𝑉𝑜𝐺𝛶𝑤 39.27∗2.49∗1
Initial void, eo = 𝑊𝑠
–1= 35.3
- 1 = 1.77

Determination of wet density, g/cm3:

Weight of ring + initial wet soil =121.13g

Weight of ring = 71.16g

Weight of wet soil = 71.11g and volume of ring = 39.27cm3

𝑴 71.11𝑔
Wet density = = = 1.51g/cm3 = 15.10KN/m3
𝑽 39.27𝑐𝑚3

From 1D Odometer test of CONSTANT VOLUME method, the swelling pressure is 87.79 kPa

From result the pressure used to maintain the settlement guage reading to zero is 87.79 Kpa.

So this pressure is a swelling potential of the soil which used to restore an expanded volume to its
the original state.

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