Professional Documents
Culture Documents
To cite this article: K. Prakash, A. Sridharan, B. Aakash & K. Balaji (2011) Multiple approaches
of determining coefficient of consolidation under radial drainage on δ-log <i>t</i>
plot, International Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, 5:4, 425-435, DOI: 10.3328/
IJGE.2011.05.04.425-435
Article views: 11
Abstract: The ever increasing demand for good sites for the engineering constructional activities necessitate many land
reclamation projects involving water front areas, marginal lands and the like. These projects aim at consolidating compress-
ible clayey soils through vertical drains. Coefficient of consolidation under radial drainage is an important input parameter
in the design of any effective sand drain installation. In the present study, the solution of the governing differential equation
for consolidation with radial drainage for equal vertical strain condition is represented on a semi-logarithmic plot and its
Downloaded by [Gazi University] at 21:02 10 April 2016
characteristic features are analyzed. Some of the characteristic features observed on the theoretical curves are simulated on
experimental δ-log t curves. The results of such an analysis has paved way for the development of three curve fitting procedures
to determine the coefficient of consolidation under radial drainage in the initial, middle and the later stages of consolidation
process. The theoretical formulations have been validated through the data from laboratory consolidation tests with radial
drainage. A comparative study of the values of coefficient of consolidation under radial drainage obtained from the proposed
methods and also from the methods available in the literature has also been made.
Keywords: Coefficient of consolidation; Clays; Laboratory tests; Radial flow; Soil consolidation; Time factor.
Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering, Mysore – 570 006, India, where, u(r,t) is the excess pore water pressure in the soil at
e-mail: bsaakash@yahoo.co.in, Tel: +91-81470 81499 any radial distance r, for the free strain condition is compli-
Undergraduate Student, Department of Civil Engineering, Sri
4
cated.
Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering, Mysore – 570 006, India. The solution of eq. (1) for equal vertical strain condition
e-mail: kasi.balaji@gmail.com, Tel: +91-90089 05482
(Barron, 1948) is given by,
International Journal of Geotechnical Engineering (2011) 5: (425-435) J. Ross Publishing, Inc. © 2011
DOI 10.3328/IJGE.2011.05.04.425-435
426 International Journal of Geotechnical Engineering
F(n) = ln(n) – (4) The experimental data for the present study was obtained
(n – 1)
2
4n2 from a series of consolidation tests with radial drainage con-
where t is the real time corresponding to Ur, de is the diameter ducted in the laboratory. Fixed ring oedometers with ring
of influence (i e, twice the effective radial drainage path), n is dimensions of 60 mm diameter and 20 mm height were used.
the drain spacing ratio given by The inside surfaces of the rings were lubricated with silicon
grease to minimize ring friction.
de
n= (5) Five soils with varying plasticity characteristics were
dw used in the experimental work (Table 1). The soils mixed
where dw is the diameter of the drain. Combining eqs. (2) and thoroughly at water contents slightly less than their liquid
(3), one can write, limit water contents were allowed for moisture equilibration
Td2 for about a week. Then, they were remolded into the oedom-
cr = r e (6) eter rings. Radially inward central drainage was effected
t
where, through sand drains. Thin, stiff and lubricated plastic tubes
–ln(1 – Ur) of external diameter equal to the required diameter of the
Tr = F(n) (7) sand drain (i e, 12.5 mm, which corresponds to n = 4.8) were
8
used to make central circular holes in the remolded soil mass.
Sridharan et al. (1996) were the first to study the consoli- Clean and washed fine river sand (75μm ≤ D ≤ 425μm) was
dation of clay samples with radial drainage in-depth in the placed inside the drain in a loose condition to minimize the
laboratory, and they proposed three methods of determining smearing effects (Berry and Wilkinson 1969). Only radial
the value of cr by the laboratory radial consolidation test data drainage was ensured by avoiding the vertical drainage
for the equal vertical strain condition. They are through the insertion of waterproof rubber membranes of
• Square root of time fitting method (i.e. δ – √t outer diameters more than that of top and bottom porous
method) stones with central holes of diameter equal to that of sand
• Log10 (de2/t) vs Ur curve method drain at each end of the sample. Consolidation tests were
• One-point method carried out from a seating effective stress of 6.25 kPa up to
maximum of 800 kPa with a stress increment ratio of unity.
Sridharan et al. (1996) also studied the effects of initial
compression, secondary compression and duration of load
increment on cr. Subsequent to their studies, two more 3. Ur vs log Tr curves
methods of determining cr have been proposed namely,
The solution of differential equation of Terzaghi’s one
Inflection point method (Robinson 1997) and Log-log
dimensional consolidation theory for soils with vertical
method (Robinson 2009).
drainage when represented in U vs log T mode gives rise to
a well defined reverse S – shaped curve. Similarly, for soils
undergoing consolidation with radial drainage, eq. (2), which
Multiple approaches of determining coefficient of consolidation under radial drainage on δ-log t plot 427
Figure 1. Theoretical Ur V/s log Tr curves for different values of drain Figure 2. Logarithm of time fitting method – Illustrated.
spacing ratio (n).
Downloaded by [Gazi University] at 21:02 10 April 2016
Downloaded by [Gazi University] at 21:02 10 April 2016
5. Inflection point method (Robinson
1997)
5.1 General
Figure 5. Inflection point method – Illustrated. Figure 7. Modified logarithm of time fitting method – Illustrated .
Downloaded by [Gazi University] at 21:02 10 April 2016
6). The intersection of all these tangents with the Ur = 100%
axis takes place at different values of Trn depending upon the
values of n. Coincidentally, it can be noted that the value of
Ur corresponding to all these values of Trn remain the same
and it is Ur = 93.4%. This forms the basis for the proposed
modified logarithm of time fitting method.
6.2 Recommended procedure (Fig. 7)
• Plot the experimental δ - t data from the consolida-
tion test with radial drainage in the form of δ vs log
t, which is a reverse S-shaped curve
• Identify the two distinct linear regions following
the initial curved portion (approximated to be para-
bolic) and draw the same.
Figure 6. Theoretical formulation of modified logarithm of time fitting • Note down t93.4, which corresponds to the point of
method.
intersection of the two straight lines drawn.
• Calculate the value of cr corresponding to Ur =93.4%
some more possible methods of laboratory determination of using the equation
cr, which will be developed and discussed as under. (Tr)93.4de2
(cr)93.4 = (11)
t
6. Modified logarithm of time fitting The value of Tr for any value of n corresponding to Ur =
93.4% can be obtained from Fig. 8.
method (Modified δ-log t method) However, if one wants to calculate cr for different values
of Ur, the following steps may be adopted.
6.1 General
• Plot the experimental δ - t data from the consolida-
It has already been observed that representation of eq. (2) on
tion test with radial drainage in the form of δ vs log
a semi-logarithmic plot yields a family of Ur vs log Tr curves
t, which is a reverse S-shaped curve
which are parallel to each other. Since all these curves have
• Identify the two distinct linear regions following
inflection points corresponding to an unique value of Ur (i.e.
the initial curved portion (approximated to be para-
Ur = 63.21%), the tangents drawn to Ur vs log Tr curves at
bolic) and draw the same.
these inflection points will all be parallel to each other (Fig.
430 International Journal of Geotechnical Engineering
Figure 8. Variation of time factor for Ur = 93.4% Figure 10. Early stage of log t plot method – Illustrated.
Downloaded by [Gazi University] at 21:02 10 April 2016
7. Early stage of log t plot method
Fig. 6 illustrates that the tangents drawn to the family of Ur
vs log Tr curves at their inflection points are parallel to each
other. The intersection of these tangents with the Ur = 0 axis
corresponds to different values of Trn depending upon the
value of n. Interestingly, the degrees of radial consolidation
corresponding to all these Trn values are the same (i e, Ur =
(cr )50 (cr )93.4 (cr )50 (cr )16.42 (cr )63.21 (cr )50 (cr )90
25-50 5.850 x 10 -8
4.220 x 10 -8
5.506 x 10 -8
7.575 x 10 -8
3.071 x 10 -8
6.324 x 10 -8
3.127 x 10-8
Red 50-100 8.210 x 10 -8
5.399 x 10 -8
8.069 x 10 -8
7.130 x 10 -8
5.875 x 10 -8
9.360 x 10 -8
3.888 x 10-8
Earth 100-200 8.357 x 10-8 3.991 x 10-8 7.313 x 10-8 13.618 x 10-8 5.875 x 10-8 13.765 x 10-8 5.078 x 10-8
200-400 12.000 x 10 -8
4.707 x 10 -8
10.883 x 10 -8
17.565 x 10 -8
5.875 x 10 -8
19.500 x 10 -8
4.964 x 10-8
25-50 4.926 x 10-8 5.399 x 10-8 4.588 x 10-8 4.573 x 10-8 2.252 x 10-8 4.142 x 10-8 4.300 x 10-8
50-100 3.019 x 10 -8
4.428 x 10 -8
3.019 x 10 -8
2.020 x 10 -8
2.599 x 10 -8
2.644 x 10 -8
3.100 x 10-8
BC Soil
100-200 1.950 x 10 -8
1.530 x 10 -8
1.910 x 10 -8
2.956 x 10 -8
1.668 x 10 -8
1.586 x 10 -8
1.639 x 10-8
200-400 2.925 x 10-8 1.669 x 10-8 2.600 x 10-8 4.848 x 10-8 1.422 x 10-8 2.629 x 10-8 2.612 x 10-8
25-50 3.467 x 10 -8
3.338 x 10 -8
3.343 x 10 -8
2.448 x 10 -8
1.710 x 10 -8
2.925 x 10 -8
1.942 x 10-8
(BC Soil 50-100 2.229 x 10-8 2.295 x 10-8 2.127 x 10-8 2.287 x 10-8 1.485 x 10-8 1.800 x 10-8 1.683 x 10-8
+ Sand)
100-200 1.586 x 10 -8
1.596 x 10 -8
1.463 x 10 -8
1.574 x 10 -8
1.338 x 10 -8
1.337 x 10 -8
1.112 x 10-8
Downloaded by [Gazi University] at 21:02 10 April 2016
Mixture
200-400 1.076 x 10-8 1.474 x 10-8 0.996 x 10-8 1.554 x 10-8 1.453 x 10-8 1.040 x 10-8 0.997 x 10-8
25-50 2.463 x 10 -8
2.110 x 10 -8
2.530 x 10 -8
2.886 x 10 -8
1.958 x 10 -8
2.586 x 10 -8
1.956 x 10-8
Cochin 50-100 4.070 x 10 -8
3.671 x 10 -8
3.836 x 10 -8
4.490 x 10 -8
3.217 x 10 -8
2.890 x 10 -8
3.396 x 10-8
Marine
Clay 100-200 3.343 x 10-8 3.060 x 10-8 3.343 x 10-8 3.463 x 10-8 1.826 x 10-8 2.674 x 10-8 2.700 x 10-8
200-400 4.142 x 10 -8
3.278 x 10 -8
3.900 x 10 -8
5.050 x 10 -8
3.296 x 10 -8
3.343 x 10 -8
3.888 x 10-8
50-100 1.463 x 10-6 0.874 x 10-6 1.418 x 10-6 2.525 x 10-6 1.690 x 10-6 2.035 x 10-6 1.519 x 10-6
Kaolinite 100-200 2.463 x 10 -6
1.340 x 10 -6
2.463 x 10 -6
4.329 x 10 -6
3.003 x 10 -6
3.019 x 10 -6
1.984 x 10-6
200–400 4.255 x 10-6 2.740 x 10-6 4.255 x 10-6 5.050 x 10-6 3.378 x 10-6 4.179 x 10-6 2.940 x 10-6
The value of Tr for any value of n corresponding to Ur =
16.42% can be obtained from Fig. 11.
8. Results and Discussion
The experimental data obtained from the consolidation tests
with radial drainage conducted on five soils have been used
to calculate the values of coefficient of consolidation with
radial drainage by different methods developed in this paper
namely
• Logarithm of time fitting method {i.e., (cr)50}
• Modified logarithm of time fitting method
a) (cr)93.4
b) (cr)50
• Early stage of log t plot method {i.e. (cr)16.42}
Figure 11. Variation of time factor for Ur = 16.42%.
The values of cr have also been calculated from square
root of time fitting method (Sridharan et al. 1996), one-point
method (Sridharan et al. 1996) and inflection point method • On an average, the values of (cr)93.4 from modi-
(Robinson 1997). fied logarithm of time fitting method are less than
Table 2 presents the values of cr calculated from different the values of (cr)50 from logarithm of time fitting
methods listed above. From the study of these values, follow- method. This is possibly because of the fact that
ing observations can be made 93.4% consolidation point is affected by the second-
432 International Journal of Geotechnical Engineering
Downloaded by [Gazi University] at 21:02 10 April 2016
Figure 12. Comparison of values of cr obtained from logarithm of time Figure 13. Comparison of δ50 values obtained from logarithm time fitting
fitting method and one-point method. method and one-point method.
ary compression, whose effect is to reduce the value greater than or less than those by logarithm of time fitting
of cr (Sridharan et al. 1996). method, depends upon the relative effects due to initial as
• On an average, the values of (cr)50 obtained from well as secondary compressions.
logarithm of time fitting method and from modi-
• The values of cr obtained from the early stage of log
fied logarithm of time fitting method are almost the
t plot method, on an average, are more than the val-
same.
ues of (cr)50 from logarithm of time fitting method.
• On an overage, the values of (cr)50 obtained from
This observation confirms the point noticed by
logarithm of time fitting method are more than the
Sridharan et.al. (1996) that the initial compression
values of (cr)63.21 from the inflection point method.
has a dominant effect of increasing the value of cr
Sridharan et.al. (1996) have shown that the effect of
when Ur ≤ 40%.
secondary compression can be taken to start from Ur
• The values of cr from logarithm of time fitting
= 60%. The observation that (cr)63.21 is less than (cr)50
method are, on an average, are at par with those
from logarithm of time fitting method justifies their
obtained from one-point method (Fig. 12). The
finding.
regression equation relating them has a correlation
• The values of (cr)90 obtained from square root of
coefficient of 0.992 and is given by
time fitting method can be observed to be less than
the values of (cr)50 obtained from logarithm of time (cr)50 (δ-log t method) = 0.917 (cr)50 (1-P method) (15)
fitting method. The statistical relationship between
While all the methods except one-point method require
these two sets of values, with a correlation coeffi-
some kind of curve fitting procedure to determine the value
cient of 0.99, is given by
of cr, one-point method does not require any such process.
(cr)90 = 0.745 (cr)50 (δ-log t method) (14) It is a very simple, user-friendly approach of determining the
value of cr. Its near equivalence with the logarithm of time
In fact, the values of cr obtained from square root of time
fitting method is surprisingly interesting.
fitting method are the least among the values of cr obtained
Let δi be the initial compression and δ100 be the compres-
from other methods, on an average. This relationship is
sion corresponding to 100% consolidation obtained from
contrary to the general observation that the square root of
logarithm of time fitting method. Then the compression
time fitting method normally yields higher values of cv than
corresponding to 50% consolidation (i.e. δ50) is calculated as
those by logarithm of time fitting method, in the case of con-
solidation with vertical drainage (Olson 1986; Sridharan et δ100 – δi
δ50 = δi + 50 (16)
al. 1987). However, this need not be a general rule. Sridharan 100
and Prakash (1995) have reasoned out that the values of cv
obtained by square root of time fitting method, whether
Multiple approaches of determining coefficient of consolidation under radial drainage on δ-log t plot 433
(a)
Figure 14. Comparison of values of cr obtained from early stage of log
(b)
Downloaded by [Gazi University] at 21:02 10 April 2016
Fig. 13 shows the comparison of δ50 values obtained from
logarithm of time fitting method and one-point method
as well. In spite of the differences in the procedural issues
involved in calculating δ50 by the two different approaches,
the comparison between the two sets of values can be seen
to be very good, and this is the reason for the obtained good
match between the values of cr obtained by logarithm of time
fitting method and one-point method. Figure 15. Illustrations to show the parabolic nature of the initial portion
Table 3 lists the regression equations obtained from of Ur-log Tr curve. (a) for n = 2 (b) for n = 100
the correlation studies involving the results from one-point
method and all other indicated / discussed methods of deter- • Calculate the value of (cr)50 using the eq. (8).
mining cr. From this table, it can be noted that the values of
cr obtained from one-point method are more than those from The values of cr obtained from one-point method, which
all other methods except the early stage of log t plot method are supposed to correspond to Ur = 50% and free from the
(Fig. 14). effects of initial and secondary compressions (Sridharan et al.
In the light of the above discussion, it can be recom- 1996), are quite reasonable as the results of the comparative
mended that one-point method, the results of which are very study of the present work suggest.
reasonable, can be used to determine the value of cr. The pro- It is also an observed fact that the values of cv or cr in the
cedure to get cr from one-point method is as follows. field are more than those obtained from the laboratory test
• Considering the total compression under any load results. If this is the consideration to select the value of cr for
increment during the consolidation test with radial practical usage, then the value of cr can be calculated from eq.
drainage as the final compression or compression (21) which is the equivalent value of cr corresponding to early
corresponding to Ur = 100% (i.e., δf), calculate δ50 stage of log t method and the same may be adopted for the
[eq. (17)]. purpose of design of sand drain installation.
• Note down the value of t50 corresponding to δ50 so
obtained.
434 International Journal of Geotechnical Engineering
indicates that the early stage of log t plot yields higher values
of cr while square root of time fitting method gives the least
values. There is a very good agreement between the values
of cr obtained from the logarithm of time fitting method
and one-point method. In addition, the results form one-
point method correlates well with the early stage of log t
Downloaded by [Gazi University] at 21:02 10 April 2016
plot method also. In view of this, considering the time and
effort needed for executing any curve fitting procedure to
determine cr, one-point method is recommended to get a
reasonably good estimate of cr for a consolidating soil layer.
Appendix-I
The Barron’s solution to differential equation governing the
radial consolidation for the condition of equal vertical strain
is given by eq. (2). It can be noticed that eq. (2) is exponen-
Figure 16. Relationship between the initial compressions obtained from
log t method and √t method (for the case of radial consolidation) tial. This relationship can be approximated to be parabolic
up to about Ur = 60% without loss of much accuracy. Figs.
15a and 15b present the theoretical Ur - log Tr curves for n =
9. Conclusions 2 (up to Ur = 60%) and n = 100 (up to Ur = 50%) along with
statistical best fit parabolic curves. These figures justify the
Representation of the data from consolidation tests with assumption made in the logarithm of time fitting method
vertical drainage on a semi-logarithmic plot is a widely used that the Ur - log Tr curves can be closely approximated to be
conventional approach (i.e., U v/s log T plot). Apart from parabolic in the initial stages.
the fact that one can determine the value of coefficient of
consolidation and coefficient of secondary compression, the
additional advantage of semi-logarithmic representation of Appendix-II
consolidation data is that the user will have a feel towards
what is happening during the consolidation process such The calculation of cr from logarithm of time fitting method
as primary and secondary consolidations. In view of this, depends upon the initial compression values (δi). The val-
a successful attempt has been made in the present work to ues δi can be determined from δ-log t method and from
represent and analyze the data from consolidation tests with δ- √t method as well. In the present analysis, the values of
radial drainage through Ur v/s log Tr curves. δi have been determined by both δ- log t method and from
Depending upon the characteristic features noticed δ- √t method. Fig. 16 presents the comparison between the
with Ur v/s log Tr curves for all values of n, three method- two sets of values obtained from the two different methods.
ologies have been developed and proposed to calculate the Considering the difference in assumptions and different con-
value of cr at three stages of primary consolidation namely structional features adopted in the two methods, the match
early, middle and ending stages. These methods have been between the values of δi obtained from the two methods can
validated through the results from quite a good number of be considered to be satisfactory.
radial consolidation test data. Analysis of the test results
Multiple approaches of determining coefficient of consolidation under radial drainage on δ-log t plot 435
Reference
Barron, R.A. (1948). “Consolidation of Fine Grained Soils by
Drain Wells.” Trans. of ASCE, 113, 718-724.
Berry, P.L. and Wilkinson, W.B. (1969). “The Radial
Consolidation of Clay Soils.” Geotechnique, 19(2), 253-
284.
McKinlay, D.G. (1961). “A Laboratory Study of Consolidation
in Clays with particular Reference to Conditions of
Radial Pore Water Drainage.” Proc., 5th Int. Conf. on
SM&FE, Paris, 1, 225-228.
Olson, R.E. (1986). “State of the Art: Consolidation Testing.”
Consolidation of Soil, Testing and Evaluation, ASTM
STP 892, 7-70.
Robinson, R.G. (1997). “Determination of Radial Coefficient
of Consolidation by the Inflection Point Method.” Letter
to the Editor, Geotechnique, 47(5), 1079-1081.
Downloaded by [Gazi University] at 21:02 10 April 2016