Geotechnical Engineering – I

CE253

Lecture 17: Consolidation

Course instructor
Dr. RAJESWARI J S
Ad-hoc Faculty
NIT ANDHRA PRADESH
 CONSOLIDATION OF SOILS
The process of gradual
compression due to the
expulsion of pore water under
steady pressure is referred to
as ‘Consolidation’

The compressibility of soil under stress might be attributed to:

1. Compression of the solid grains and water;
2. Compression and expulsion of air from voids
3. Expulsion of water from the voids
Fig. Leaning Tower of Pisa
 Spring Analogy Model
Spring
Stiffness
0.1N/mm

100 mm

90 mm

• t=0 • Valved opened

Valve closed • Valved opened
• Soil and water Ps + Pw = P t = tf
Ps = ΔP
initially free of Ps = 0 Ps = 1
stress Ps = (1-ΔP)
Pw = 1 Pw = 0
 Behavior of Saturated Soil under Pressure

SPRING MODEL SOIL

Spring Solid particles
Water in cylinder Water in voids
valve Permeability
Pressure in spring Effective stress
Pressure in water Pore water pressure
 Consolidation Test

Time - 0, 0.25, 1, 2.25, 4, 6.25, 9, 12.25, 16, 20.25, 25, 36, 49, 64, 81, 100,
120, 144, 169, 196, 225, etc, min, up to 24 hour(s)
 Consolidation Test Results

Dial Gauge reading Vs Time Plot Final Void Ratio Vs Effective stress Plot
 Consolidation Test Results

Final Void Ratio Vs log σ Plot Unloading and Reloading Plot