STUDENT CODE OF ETHIC

(SCE)
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING & BUILT ENVIRONMENTAL

I, hereby confess that I have prepared this report on my own effort. I also admit not
to receive or give any help during the preparation of this report and pledge
that everything mentioned in the report is true.

ABID
_________________
Student Signature

MUHAMAD ABID BIN MOHD SHARIF

Name : …………………………………………
CF190240
Matric No. : …………………………………………
21 JUNE 2022
Date : …………………………………………
 GEOTECHNICS LAB

GROUP REPORT
Code of Subject BFC 31901
Code of Experiment U3
Title of Experiment CONSOLIDATION TEST
Date of Experiment 14/6/2022
Session/ Group No. B4
Name of Group Leader MUHAMMAD ABID BIN MOHD SHARIF
Members of Group 1. MUHAMMAD SYAHMI AFHAM BIN MOHD SABRI
2. MUHAMMAD ABID BIN MOHD SHARIF
3. ABDIAZIZ AHMED WARSAME
4. SULAIMAN ABDIRASHID ABI
Lecturer/Instructor/Tutor Ir. MUSTAFA KAMAL BIN SHAMSUDDIN
Date of Submission 21/6/2022
Criteria 1 2 3 4 5 SCR WT TSCR (%)

• Report is not • Report is lacks • Good representation • Accurate • Accurate

well precision of the report using representation of the representation of the
represented tables and/or graphs report using tables report using tables
• Precision of report is and/or graphs and/or graphs
acceptable • Report is fairly • Graphs and tables are
Report precise labeled and titled
• Report is precise
6

• Trends/ • Trends/ patterns • Trends/patterns are • Trends/ patterns are • Trends/ patterns are
patterns are not are not analyzed logically analyzed logically analyzed logically analyzed
analyzed • Answers to for the most part • Questions are • Questions are
• Questions are questions are • Questions are answered in answered thoroughly
Analysis not answered incomplete answered in complete sentences and in complete
• Analysis is not • Analysis is complete sentences • Analysis is sentences 6
relevant inconsistent • Analysis is general thoughtful • Analysis is insightful

• No discussion • A discussion • A discussion • Accurate discussion • Accurate discussion

and conclusion statement and statement and statement and statement and
were included conclusion of conclusion of the conclusion of the conclusion of the
or showed little the results is results of the results of the results of the
effort and incomplete with experiment indicates experiment indicates experiment indicates
reflection on little reflection whether results whether results whether results
Discussion & the experiment on the support the support the support the hypothesis
Conclusion experiment hypothesis hypothesis • Possible sources of 8
• Possible sources of error identified and
error identified lesson learnt from the
experiment was
discussed and
concluded

Name of Accessor: Signature: Date: Total Score

/100

Comment by Assessor Acknowledgement of Receive

FACULTY: CIVIL ENG. & BUILT ENVIRONMENT PAGE NO.:

 FACULTY: CIVIL ENG. & BUILT ENVIRONMENT PAGE NO.: 1/19
EDITION:
DEPARTMENT: CIVIL ENGINEERING
REVIEW NO.:
EFFECTIVE
14/05/20
TEST TITLE: CONSOLIDATION TEST DATE:
AMENDMENT
14/05/20
DATE:

1.0 OBJECTIVE
TO DETERMINE THE CONSOLIDATION CHARACTERISTICS OF SOILS OF LOW
PERMEABILITY

2.0 LEARNING OUTCOME

At the end of this experiment, students are able to:
• Conduct one dimensional consolidation test
• Identify the factors causes soil consolidation
• Determine the consolidation parameters (cv, mv, Cc and Pc)

3.0 THEORY

When a fully saturated soil is subjected to a compressive stress, its volume tends to decrease. The
decreasing of its volume is due to compression of the solid grains and escape of water from the voids. In
a free drainage soil such as saturated sand the escape of water can take place rapidly. But in clay, due
to low permeability, the movement of water occurs very much slowly and therefore, considerable time
may be required for excess water to be squeezed out to permeable boundaries.

Settlement is the direct result of the decrease in soil volume and consolidation is the rate of volume
decrease with time. The consolidation test is use to estimate the amount of settlement and time of
consolidation. From this test some consolidation parameters such as coefficient of consolidation (c v),
coefficient of volume compressibility (mv), compression index (Cc), preconsolidation pressure (Pc) can be
determined.

There are two methods for determining the coefficient of consolidation:

(i) Casagrande or log (time) or 50% consolidation
(ii) Taylor or √ time or 90% consolidation

The coefficient of consolidation can be determined by this equation,

Tv H2
c = (3.1)
v
t
Where, cv = coefficient of consolidation (m2/year)
Tv = Time factor
H = Maximum length of drainage path (m)
t = Time to achieve 50% or 90% consolidation (year or minute)
 Square Root Time (minute)
0 5 √t90 10 15 20 25 30 35
0

Settlement (mm) 5

10

15

20

25

Figure 3.1: Settlement versus log Time

Time (minute)
0.1 1 t50 10 100 1000 10000
0% consolidation line
0
20 δ
δ
40
Settlement (mm)

A
60 50% consolidation line

80
B = 4A
100
120 100% consolidation line

140
160

Figure 3.2: Settlement versus square root time

4.0 TEST EQUIPMENTS

1. Consolidation apparatus
- Consolidation ring
- Corrosion-resistant porous plate
- Consolidation cell
- Dial Gauge
- Loading device

2. Balance readable to 0.1g

3. Vernier caliper
4. Stop-clock readable to 1 s

5.0 PROCEDURES

1. Measure the internal diameter (D) and the height of the ring, using internal vernier calipers.
2. Weight the ring to the nearest 0.01g (mR).
3. Cutting the specimen and trimming into ring.
4. Determine the initial moisture content from trimming soil.
5. Determine the weight of ring and specimen (m1)
6. Determine the mass of bulk specimen (m) to the nearest 0.01g using this equation

m = m 1 – mR

7. Place the consolidation ring and specimen (cutting edge uppermost) centrally on the porous
disc.
8. Fit the ring retainer and cell body and then place the upper porous disc centrally on top of the
specimen.
9. Place the consolidation cell centrally in position on the platform of the machine base.
10. Lift the end of the beam to allow the loading yoke to be raised to the vertical position and adjust
the loading stem by screwing it downwards until the end engages closely in the recess on the
top of the loading cap
11. Attach the compression dial gauge to the arm on the support post.
12. Add weight (2.5 kg) carefully to the load hanger
13. Add water at room temperature to the cell and make sure that the specimen and upper porous
disc are completely submerged.
14. Wind down the beam support and at the same time start the clock.
15. Observe the compression gauge readings and the clock, and record the readings on a
consolidation test form at the selected time intervals.
16. Plot the readings of the compression against time to a logarithmic scale and against square-
root-time.

6.0 DEMONSTRATION

A detailed procedure of the consolidation test can be seen in this video. Click this link to watch the
related video. (https://youtu.be/wKdAbLamsvU)
7.0 CALCULATION EXAMPLE

Date started: 9/7/07 Sample No.: A1 - 1

Soil Type: Silty clay Cell No: 4

BEFORE TEST

Moisture content from trimming: 22.9 (%) S.G. (Assumed) : 2.7

Weight of ring : 439.35 (g) Diameter of ring : 74.9 (mm)
Weight of sample + ring: 260.43 (g) Area of ring: 4406 (mm2)
Weight of sample : 178.92 (g) Thickness of ring: 20.1 (mm)
Weight of dry sample: 145.35 (g) Volume of ring : 88.56 (mm3)
Weight of initial moisture: 33.57 (g) Density,  : 2.02 (Mg/m3)
Initial moisture content: 23.1 (%) Dry density, d : 1.64 (Mg/m3)

Gs
Initial void ratio, − 1 = 0.622
d

SETTLEMENT READINGS
Elapse time Cumulative
Time Clock Gauge
hr min sec √ time compression, H
(min) time reading
(mm)
0 0 0 8.00 am 0 0
10 0.17 0.41 21 21 x 0.002 = 0.04
20 0.33 0.57 23 23 x 0.002 = 0.05
30 0.50 0.71 25 25 x 0.002 = 0.05
50 0.83 0.91 35 35 x 0.002 = 0.07
1 1 1.00 8.01 am 41 41 x 0.002 = 0.08
2 2 1.41 8.02 am 49 49 x 0.002 = 0.10
4 4 2.00 8.04 am 58 58 x 0.002 = 0.12
8 8 2.83 8.08 am 66 66 x 0.002 = 0.13
15 15 3.87 8.15 am 75 75 x 0.002 = 0.15
30 30 5.48 8.30 am 86 86 x 0.002 = 0.17
1 60 9.00 am 95 95 x 0.002 = 0.19
2 120 10.00am 107 107 x 0.002 = 0.21
4 240 12.00 pm 115 115 x 0.002 = 0.23
8 480 4.00 pm 124 124 x 0.002 = 0.25
24 1440 8.00 am 126 126 x 0.002 = 0.25
8.0 RESULTS

CONSOLIDATION TEST – CALCULATION SHEET

Date started: 26/10/2021 Sample No.: A1 - 1

Soil Type: Silty clay Cell No: 4

BEFORE TEST

Moisture content from trimming: 22.9 (%) S.G. (Assumed) : 2.7

Weight of ring: 102.59(g)
Weight of sample + ring: 262.33 (g)
Weight of sample: 159.74 (g)
Weight of dry sample: 126.17 (g)
Weight of initial moisture: 33.57 (g)
Initial moisture content: 26.61 (%)
Gs
Initial void ratio, − 1 = 0.8
d
Diameter of ring: 74.9 (mm)
Area of ring: 4421.4 (mm2)
Thickness of ring:19.05 (mm)
Volume of ring: 84227.7 (mm3)
Density,  : 1.90(Mg/m3)
Dry density, d: 1.50 (Mg/m3)

SETTLEMENT READINGS

Elapse time Cumulative

Time Clock Gauge
hr min sec √ time compression, H
(min) time reading
(mm)
0 0 0 11.42am 0 0.00x0.002=0
10 0.17 0.41 36 36x0.002=0.07
20 0.33 0.57 50 50x0.002=0.10
30 0.50 0.71 62 62x0.002=0.12
40 0.67 0.82 71 71 x0.002=0.14
50 0.83 0.91 80 80x0.002=0.16
1 1 1.00 11.43am 88 88x0.002=0.18
2 2 1.41 11.44am 119 119x0.002=0.24
4 4 2.00 11.46am 129 129x0.002=0.26
8 8 2.83 11.50am 130 130x0.002=0.26
15 15 3.87 11.57am 132 132x0.002=0.26
30 30 5.48 12.12am 135 135x0.002=0.27
1 60 7.75 12.42am 138 138x0.002=0.28
9.0 CALCULATIONS

Calculation for Specimen of Silty clay:

Weight of sample:

= (weight of sample + ring) – (weight of ring)

= 262.33 g - 102.59 g

= 159.74 g

Weight of initial moisture:

= (weight of sample) – (weight of dry sample)

= 159.74 g – 126.17 g

= 33.57g

Initial moisture content = weight of initial moisture100%

weight of dry sample

33.57
= × 100%
126.17

= 26.61%

= D
2
Area of ring
4

𝜋 (75.032)
=
4

= 4421.4 mm²

= D t
2
Volume of ring
4
 𝜋(75.03)2(19.05)
=
4

= 84227.66 mm³

weight of sample
Density, ρ = volume of ring

159.74×10−6
=
84227.66×10−9

= 1.90 Mg / mm³

weight of dry sample

Density, ρd = volume of ring

126.17 x10 −6 𝑀𝑔
=
84227.66 x 10−9 𝑚3

= 1.50 Mg/m3

Gs
−1
Initial void ratio,
d
2.7
= -1
1.5

=0.8
 cumulative compression (mm) vs time (min)
time (min)
0.10 1.00 10.00 100.00
0.00
cumulative compression
0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

0.30

Figure 1 Casagrande’s method (t50)

cumulative compression (mm) vs square root time

square root time
0.00 1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00 6.00 7.00 8.00 9.00
0.00
cumulative compression mm

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

0.30

Figure 2 Taylor’s method (√t90)

DATA ANALYSIS

• Two graphs of consolidation curve are plotted from the results of the consolidation test

• Using Taylor’s method, graph of settlement, H against square root of time, √t for silty clay soil
is plotted. Meanwhile, using Casagrande’s method, graph of settlement, H against time, t is
plotted on semi-log graph via Microsoft excel. The graphs can be viewed in the above page
10.0 DISCUSSIONS

The purpose of conducting this experiment is to study the characteristic of the soil when
consolidation process takes place and obtain the sedimentation as the result of this experiment.At the
same time, consolidation test experiment make us able to determine the magnitude and rate volume
decrease that a laterally confined soil specimen undergoes.

When the saturated soil has been exerted with the same amount of pressure, the volume will be
decline due to the soil particle and water cannot compress the value of compression unless which force
water particles to exit from the spaces between the particle. This cause the spaces between the particle
and soil particle to decrease become more compact.

Based on the observation of this experiment show that consolidation process happened. It is
because of the movement horizontally as a volume rotation that call sediment. Two graphs had been
plotted for specimen of silty clay soil. This include a graph of settlement against log time with logarithmic
scale and graph of settlement against square root time.

As on the experiment data, the values of the sediment increase as the time increase. This shows
that sediment is linearly proportional to the time. Consolidation takes most of the sediment as a loading.
After time t90 the process continues slowly. This phenomenon happens because of transformation
moisture membrane that covers the solid particle.

• There might be some errors occurring during the experiment being conducted which affect the
accuracy and precision of the recorded data, which include as following below:

a) Disturbed soil specimen or excessive disturbance during trimming

b) Specimen not fitting into and filling the ring

c) Permeability of the porous stones too low

d) Excessive friction between the specimen and ring

e) Inappropriate amount of applied load during inundation

f) Improper height of the specimen

g) Parallax error
• To reduce the value of the error, several methods for the step which are:

a. the sample of the soil must be compacted

b. choose the best point of sampling on site

c. the value of water must be not too much

d. using a larger diameter and thinner specimen

11.0 CONCLUSIONS

As a conclusion, there are 2 graphs which are graph of settlement against log time with logarithmic
scale and graph of settlement against square root time had been plotted for specimen of silty clay soil.

For the specimen of silty clay soil, the t50 =0.67 minutes has determined from settlement against log
time and the t90 = 1.764 minutes has determine from graph of settlement against square root time. By
using Casagrande method, the calculated value of coefficient of consolidation is Cv = 14.02 m2/year while
by using Casagrande method, the calculated value of coefficient of consolidation is C v = 5.32 m2/year

Overall, the characteristic of soil of low permeability has been determined. This experiment has
been done successfully.
12.0 QUESTION 1

a) From your experimental data, determine the coefficient of consolidation, cv (m2/year) using
Casagrande. Please comment your answer.

For Specimen for Silty Clay:

t50 = 0.67 min, D = 19.05 mm, H = D/2

0.197(H )2
Cv = t
50

0.197(19.05/2)2
=
0.67

= 26.68 mm2/min

mm2 m m 60 min 24 hour 365 day

Cv = 6.86 × × × × ×
min 1000mm 1000mm 1 hour 1 day 1 year

=14.02 m2/year

Tylor method

0.197 (𝐻)2
Cv =
√t90

0.197(19.05/2)2
=
1.764

=10.13 mm2/year

mm2 m m 60 min 24 hour 365 day

=10.13 × × × × ×
min 1000mm 1000mm 1 hour 1 day 1 year

=5.32 mm2/year
 From the calculation above, it shows that the coefficient of consolidation, Cv for silty clay soil by
using Casagrande and Taylor method are 3.61 m 2/year and 0.57 mm2/year.

b) Clay samples collected at depth of 5 meters at Batu Pahat has a saturated unit weight (sat) of
18 kN/m3. The following data were recorded during an oedometer test.

Effective Stress (kN/m2) 25 50 100 200 400 800 200 50

Void ratio (e) 0.85 0.82 0.71 0.57 0.43 0.3 0.4 0.5

(i) Plot the graph of void ratio against effective stress on semi-log graph and determine the
compression index (Cc) and preconsolidation pressure (Pc).

Void ratio vs Effective Stress

Effective Stress (kN/m^2)
10 100 1000
0
0.1

0.2
0.3
0.3
0.4
Void ratio (e)

0.4 0.43
0.5
0.5 0.57
0.6
0.71
0.7
0.82
0.8 0.85

0.9

The compression index (Cc) is the slope of the graph

Cc = gradient of the graph

e1 − e2
P
log 2
= P1

0.57 − 0.43
400
log
= 200
=0.465

Based on the graph obtained, the pre-consolidation pressure, Pc= 68kN/m2

 (ii) Determine the coefficient of volume compressibility (m v).

e 1

'
1 + e avg
Coefficient of volume compressibility, mv =

e
= slope of the graph
 '

e1 + es
eavg =
2

0.85 + 0.5
=
2
= 0.675

e 1
mv =
 1 + eavg
'

=  1 
(0.465) 
1 + 0.675 
= 0.278

(iii) Define whether the soil is normally consolidated or over consolidated.

D=5m

P0 = sat x d
D=5m
= 18  5

= 90 kN/m2

Pc
P
Over consolidation, OCR = 0

68
=
90
= 0.76< 1

Since, OCR<1, the soil is under consolidated. It means that the stress applied during that test is greater
than the stress had been applied to the sample.
2b QUESTIONS 2

a)
b) Clay samples collected from 10 metres deep in Parit Raja has a unit weight (γ) of 20
kN/m3.The following data were recorded during an oedometer test.

i. Plot the graph of void ratio against effective stress on semi-log graph and determine the
compression index (Cc) Pre consolidation pressure (Pc).
The compression index (Cc)

Therefore, the negative sign is used because the void ratio decreases when the effective
stressis increased and shows the nature of the field consolidation curve of an over
consolidated clay.

Pre consolidation pressure (Pc)

Therefore, the pre consolidation pressure shown in figure (The graph of void ratio vs
Log Effective stress) above. The slope of the e-log(σ’v) curve is fairly flat until a vertical
effective stress equal to the pre consolidation pressure (σ’v) s reached. Beyond this point,
the slope of the e-log(σ’v) curve becomes steeper, the soil becomes more compressible.
The pre consolidation pressure is like a yield stress for soil.
 ii. Determine the coefficient of volume compressibility (m v)
Coefficient of volume compressibility

iii. Define whether the soil is normally consolidated or over consolidated.

Therefore, an soil that has experienced a vertical effective stress that was greater than its
present vertical effective stress is called an over consolidated (OC) soil. The OCR for an
OC soil is greater than 1. OC soils have fairly high shear strength.