9.

1 A clay soil of thickness H is allowed to drain on the top boundary through a

thin sand layer. A vertical stress of σ is applied to the clay. The excess
porewater pressure distribution is linear in the soil layer with a value of ut at
the top boundary and ub (ub > ut) at the bottom boundary. The excess
porewater pressure at the top boundary is not zero because the sand layer was
partially blocked. Derive an equation for the excess porewater pressure
distribution with soil thickness and time.

Solution 9.1a
u  2u
Solve  Cv 2
t z
ub  ut
At t = 0, u(z, 0) = u t  z
H
u(0, t) = 0
u(H, t) = u b
u(z, t) = u s z   u t z, t 
ubz
u s z  = 0 
H
u t 0, t   u 0, t   u b 0   0 (1)
u t H, t  = u(H, t) – u(H) = u b  u b = 0 (2)
u b  u tz u bz u tz
u t z, 0 = u(z, 0) - u b z  = u t   = ut  (3)
H H H
Solving for u t z, t 
2 2
u t z, t  =  C1 cos  z  C2 sin  z  exp C  t v

u t 0, t  = 0 (from 1)  C1 = 0
n
u t H, t  = C 2 sin H  0 ,   
H
 Cv2 n 2 2t
n z 2
 u t z, t  = bn sin exp H

H
Adding all such solutions (Fourier Series)
  Cv2 n 2 2t
nz
u t z, t  =  b n sin H
exp 2
n 1 H
 nz
 u t z, 0    b n sin H
n 1

Equating (3) and(4) and solving for b n (4)

 Cv2 m2 2t
u t ut 
1 2m z
 ut  z , t   m
2
bn  1  cos n sin exp H
n  m 1 H
u(z, t) = u s z   u t z, t 
 4 Cv2 m2 2 t
ub z ut 1 2m z
u  z, t     m sin
2
exp H

H  m 1 H
Solution 9.1b (alternative)

The solution is worked out for a general situation of transient and steady state excess pore water pressure

 2 u u
Cv  , 0  z  H, t  0 (1)
z 2 t
Boundary Conditions:
u(0, t) = u o , u (H, t )  u 1 , t  0
 ub ut 
u(z, 0) =  u t  z  f (z)
 H 

u (z, t) approaches steady state excess pore water pressure s(z) when t   .
The excess pore water pressure at any depth and time is made up of a transient excess pore water pressure,
A(z, t), and the steady state pore water pressure s(z), i.e.
u(z, t) = A(z, t) + s(z)
 u(0, t) = A(0, t) + s(0) = u o
This equation is satisfied if
A(0, t) = 0 and s(0) = u o

Also
U(H, t) = A(H, t) + s(H) = u1
Which is satisfied if
A(H, t) = 0 and s(H) = u1

The transient excess pore water pressure must satisfy

 2 A A
Cv  , 0  z  H, t  0
z 2 t
From the initial conditions we get
u(z, 0) = A(z, 0) +s(z)
Therefore
A(z, 0) = u(z, 0) – s(z) = f(z) – s(z)

We now solve the steady state and transient conditions separately

Steady State

 2s
 0, 0  z  H, t  0
z 2
s(0)  u t , s( H)  u 1 , t  0

 2s
The solution for  0 is
z 2
s ( z ) =Cz + B where C and B are constants
s(0) = B = u o
s ( H ) = CH + B = u 1
 u1  u o
C 
z
 u1  u o 
This s(z) =  z  u o
 H 
Transient State
  n 2 c v t n
Az, t     n sin  n z e where  n 
H
n 1

condition: A z, o  
From the initial condition:   n sin  n z   f(z) – s(z)
n 1
H
2  nz 
 n   f z   sz  sin
H  H 
dz
o
The solution for the problem is: u(z, t) = A(z, t) + s(z) =
 u1  uo   
 uo     n sin  n z  exp  n c t
2

 
v

 H   n 1
H
n 2  nz 
Where  
H
and  n   f z   sz  sin
H  H 
dz
o
If steady state excess pore water pressure is zero, then the solution is:

  n2 cv t
u(z. t) =  n sin  n z  exp
n 1

Substituting for  n and performing the intergration for  n , we get u(z, t) =

 z 1 
 2m z 
1 4Cv m2 2t 
ut 1    sin  H  exp H 2  where m = 1 to 
 H  m0 m 
9.2 A soil layer of thickness Ho has only single drainage through the top
boundary. The excess porewater pressure distribution when a vertical
stress, σ, is applied varies parabolically with a value of zero at the top
boundary and ub at the bottom boundary. Show that
2 '
H o d  w H o dH o
Cv = and k z =
2ub dt 2ub dt

Solution 9.2

 2z z
2 
The excess pore water pressure at a depth z is: u = u b    (1)
 Ho Ho
2 
 
2
u  u
The consolidation equation is:  Cv (2)
2
t z
The change is excess pore water pressure is equal to the change in effective stress.
u  
Therefore: 
t t
u  
(Note: u =    ,   0 since  is constant.)
t t
2
   u
Hence   Cv (3)
2
t z

2u 2u b
Differentiating (1) twice we get  (4)
2 2
z Ho

2 2
Ho   Ho  
Putting (4) into (3) we get Cv  
2u b t 2u b t

k  Cvmv w
1 H o 1 H o
mv  
Ho  Ho 
2
Ho  1 H o
 k   w
2u b t Ho 
 w H o H o
k
2u b t
This can be written in this case as
 wHo dH o
k
2ub dt
9.3 Show that, for a linear elastic soil,

mvr =
1  1 2v 
v
'

'

E 1 v 
' '


Solution 9.3

 z
m
v
 (1)
 z
From Hooke’s Law (chapter 7) for 1 – D consolidation.
E
 z  1   
z (2)
1  1  2
1  1  2
Substituting (2) into (1) we get: mv 
E1   
9.4 Show that, if an overconsolidated soil behaves like a linear elastic material,
'
oc nc v
Ko =  OCR  Ko  '
 OCR  1
1 v

Solution 9.4

Let  xo and  zo be the lateral and vertical effective stresses for a normally consolidated soil.
nc  xo
Then: Ko  (1)
 zo

Let  x and  z be the lateral and vertical effective stresses during unloading.
 xo  x

oc  xo   x  zo  zo
Then: Ko  = (2)
 zo   z  z
1
 zo

zo
OCR = (3)
 zo   z

OCR
  zo   z (4)
OCR  1
 x  x OCR  1
 (5)
 zo OCR z
1
From Hooke’s Law  z = z  y   x  = 0 (6)
E
 x 
By symmetry  y =  x ; therefore from (6) = (7)
 z 1  

 x  OCR  1
By putting (7) into (5) we get = (8)
 zo 1   OCR

  x 
Substituting (3) into (2) we get Ko
oc
=  K onc   OCR
 (9)
  zo 

Putting (8) into (9) and simplifying K oc
o =
nc
K o OCR  OCR  1
1  
9.7 The overconsolidation ratio of a saturated clay at a depth of 5 m is 6.0 and
its water content is 38%. It is believed that the clay has become
overconsolidated as a result of erosion. Calculate the thickness of the soil
layer that was eroded. Assume that the groundwater level is at the ground
surface for both the past and present conditions.

Solution 9.7

OCR = 6.0 at 5m w = 0.38

1  w  w 1  .38 9.8
 = = = 18 kN/ m 3
w 1 0.38 1
 
S GS 1 2.7

 can also be computed as below

wGs
e   1.026
S
 G e
     18kN / m
s 3

 1 e 
sat w

zo = 5(18 – 9.8) = 41 kPa

 zc
OCR = ;  zc = 6  41 = 246 kPa
 zo
Assume past unit weight did not change.
z(18 – 9.8) = 246  z = 30m
Thickness of eroded region = 30 – 5 = 25m
9.8 An oedometer test on a saturated clay soil gave the following results: Cc =
0.2, Cr = 0.04, OCR = 4.5. The existing vertical effective stress in the field
is 130 kPa.A building foundation will increase the vertical stress at the
center of the clay by 150 kPa. The thickness of the clay layer is 2 m and its
water content is 28%.
(a) Calculate the primary consolidation settlement.
(b) What would be the difference in settlement if OCR were 1.5 instead of 4.5?

Solution 9.8

Ho  2000mm, zo  130 kPa ,  z  150 kPa, w  0.28, OCR  4.5

zc  4.5  130  585 kPa

eo  wG s  2.7  0.28  0.76

fin  zo  z  130  150  280 kPa  585 kPa

2000 280
c  0.04 log 15mm
1 0.76 130
If OCR = 1.5 then  zc = 1.5  130  195 kPa <  fin (=280 kPa)

2000 0.04 log 1.5  0.2 log 280  = 43.7mm

 c =  
1  0.76  195 

Difference in settlement = 43.7 – 15 = 28.7 mm

First printing of Textbook

Due to a typo in the first printing, the increase in stress was 50 kPa rather than 150 kPa.
The solution for this case is as follows.

Ho  2000mm, zo   130 kPa,  

z  50 kPa, w  0.28, OCR  4.5
zc  4.5  130  585 kPa

eo  wG s  2.7  0.28  0.76

fin  zo  z  130  50  180 kPa  585 kPa

2000 180
 c  0.04 log  6.4mm
1 0.76 130
If OCR = 1.5 then  zc = 1.5  130  195 kPa >  fin (=180 kPa)
Therefore, the settlement would be the same.
9.9 A building is expected to increase the vertical stress at the center of a 2 m
−4 2
thick clay layer by 100 kPa. If mv is 4 × 10 m /kN, calculate the primary
consolidation settlement.

Solution 9.9

4 2
mv = 4  10 m / kN,  z = 100 kPa, Ho = 2m

 c  m v  z H o  4  10 4  100  2  8  10 2 m = 80 mm
 9.14 The following data were recorded in an oedometer test on a clay sample 100 mm
in diameter and 30 mm high.

Load (N) 0 50 100 200 400 800 0

Displacement gauge reading (mm) 0 0.48 0.67 0.98 1.24 1.62 1.4

At the end of the test, the wet mass of the sample was 507.3 grams and, after oven drying,
its dry mass was 412.5 grams. The specific gravity was 2.65.
(a) Calculate the void ratio at the end of the test.
(b) Calculate the void ratio at the end of each loading step.
(c) Calculate the initial thickness of the soil sample from the initial void ratio and
compare this with the initial thickness.
(d) Determine mv between σ′z = 50 kPa and σ′z = 150 kPa.

Solution 9.14

Clay sample Diameter: 100mm Height: 30mm

Load 0 50 100 200 400 800 0

Dial reading 0 0.48 0.67 0.98 1.24 1.62 1.4

End of Test: wet mass: 507.3g dry mass: 412.5g

507.3  412.5
w= = 0.23
412.5

(a) e fin = .23  2.65 = 0.610

(b)
 z fin 1.4
efin  0.61 
Ho 30
eo =   0.689
 z fin 1
1.4
1
Ho 30

Void Ratio for each loading step

Load 0 50 100 200 400 800 0

Void Ratio 0.689 0.662 0.652 0.633 0.620 0.598 0.61
 z =Δz/Ho 0 0.016 0.022 0.033 0.041 0.054 0.047
(c)
 z fin  e fin
=
Ho 1  eo
1  eo  z fin 1  0.689 (1.4)
Ho  =  29.93 mm
 e fin (0.689  0.61)
(d)

z
at 150 kPa is approximately the vaerave vertical strain between 100 kPa and 200 kPa = 0.5(0.022 +
0.033) = 0.0275
0.0275  0.016
mv   1.15  10 4 m2 / kN


150  50
9.15 A laboratory consolidation test on a 20 mm thick sample of soil shows that
90% consolidation occurs in 30 minutes. Plot a settlement (degree of
consolidation)–time curve for a 10 m layer of this clay in the field for (a)
single drainage and (b) double drainage.

Solution 9.15
Lab consolidation test:
5
Ho = 20mm, t 90 = 30 minutes = 5.7  10 years, H dr  Ho = 0.01m

Tv = 0.848 for 90% consolidation

2
Tv H dr 
0.848 0.01m 2 2
Cv   = 1.48 m /year
5
t 5.7  10


Single Drainage 10m layer H dr = 10m

double single
U(%) Tv t (years) t (years)
0 0 0.00 0.00
10 0.008 0.14 0.54
20 0.031 0.52 2.09
30 0.071 1.20 4.80
40 0.126 2.13 8.51
50 0.196 3.31 13.24
60 0.286 4.83 19.32
70 0.403 6.81 27.23
80 0.567 9.58 38.31
90 0.848 14.32 57.30

100
80
) 60
%( double
U 40 single

20
0
0.00 20.00 40.00 60.00 80.00
time (years)
  
    (   )    (    )  
 

Ho  'fin 4000 76.7

ρuplift = Cr log   0.21log  302mm
1  e fin  ' zo 1  1.106 13.4

This rebound is large because of the large estimated Cr value.

 3
9.22 A covered steel ( unit weight = 80 kN/m ) tank, 15 m diameter x 10 m high and
3
20 mm wall thickness is filled with liquid (unit weight = 9 kN/m ) up to a height of
3
9.9 m. The tank sits on a concrete (unit weight = 25 kN/m ) foundation, 15 m
diameter x 0.6 m thick. The foundation rests on the surface of a 5 m thick soft,
normally consolidated clay above a thick layer of gravel. The geotechnical data of the
2
clay are: Cc = 0.6, Cr = 0.08, Cv = 1 m /year (some printing of the textbook has Cv =
2
10 m /year) and w = 48%. Groundwater level is at 0.5 m below the surface. Assume
the foundation is flexible.
(a) Calculate the primary consolidation settlement at the center of the tank
(b) Calculate the differential consolidation settlement between the center and the edge of
the tank.
(c) Calculate the time for 90% consolidation to occur.
(d) The tank was loaded to half its capacity and kept there for 2 years. Calculate the
settlement. The tank was then drained, calculate the rebound.

Solution 9.22

15 m diam. x 10 m high tank

0.5 m
15 m diam. x 0.6 m thick foundation
Soft clay 5m

Gravel Thick

Unit weight of steel = 80 kN/m 3


Weight of tank = weight of tank wall + top and bottom plates = (  )(

    )    

Weight of foundation = (
  )     
Total dead load = 989.1 + 2649.4 = 3638.5 kN

Average dead load vertical stress = 3638.5/(    = 20.6 kPa
Live load (stress) from liquid = 9 x 10 = 90 kPa
Total vertical stress = 90 + 20.6 = 110.6 kPa
Determine increase in vertical stress at center of clay from Appendix B
Radius of tank, r o = 7.5 m
z/ro = 2.5/7.5 = 0.33; At center: r = o ; At edge: radii offset = r/ro = 1
From Appendix B;
       
Center: for z/r o = 0.33, r = 0, 
       
Edge: for z/r o = 0.33, r/ro = 1, 
(a)
eo = 0.48 x 2.7 = 1.296
3
sat = (2.7 + 1.296) x 9.8/2.296 = 17 kN/m
 zo = 2.5(17– 9.8) = 18 kPa

fin = 18 + 107 = 125 kPa

Ho  'fin 5000 125

ρpc  Cc log   0.6log  1101 mm (very large)
1  eo  ' zo 1  1.296 18
(b) Settlement at edge.
Ho  'fin 5000 55 18
ρpc  Cc log   0.6log  796 mm
1  eo  ' zo 1  1.296 18
Differential settlement = 1101 – 796 = 305 mm
(c)
If your textbook has C v = 10 m2/yr
0.848H dr2 0.848  2.52
t90    0.53 years
Cv 10
If your textbook has C v = 1 m2/yr
0.848H dr2 0.848  2.5
2

t90    5.3 years

Cv 1
(d)
Neglect creep effects.
For the tank at half the capacity .

fin = 18 + 20.6 + 90/2 = 83.6 kPa
the total primary consolidation settlement is:
Ho  'fin 5000 83.6
ρpc  Cc log   0.6log  871 mm
1  eo  'zo 1  1.296 18

If your textbook has C v = 10 m2/yr

Cvt 10  2
Tv 
2
  3.2 ; the clay has been fully consolidated, i.e. the settlement at the center of the tank is 871
H dr 2.52
mm.

If your textbook has C v = 1 m2/yr

Cvt 1 2
Tv 
2
  0.32
H dr 2.52
From Figure 9.9, U = 63%
The primary consolidation settlement at the center of the tank is 0.63 x 871 = 549 mm

   83.6 
The void ratio at the end of primary consolidation is ep = eo  Cc log  fin  = 1.296 – 0.6 log   = 0.895
  zo   18 
Ho  'fin 5000 83.6
ρrebound  Cr log   0.08log  141 mm
1  ep  ' zo 1  0.895 18