SOIL MECHANICS II

WEEK 5
CONSOLIDATION

PowerPoint Slides
by Mr Mohamad Shakri

Last Updated:April 22, 2016

LMS SEGi education group

Chapter Overview

Chapter 1 introduced you with the process of

consolidation using spring analogy.
Application of Terzaghis theory of onedimensional consolidation will be introduced.

Last Updated:April 22, 2016

LMS SEGi education group

Learning Objectives

To provide understanding on the terminology of

the consolidation.
To introduce the students with the consolidation
process with using spring analogy.
To introduce students with the Terzaghis theory
of the one-dimensional primary consolidation.

Last Updated:April 22, 2016

LMS SEGi education group

Learning Outcomes

Be able to understand the process of the

consolidation.
Able to understand and apply Terzaghis theory
of one-dimensional primary consolidation.

Last Updated:April 22, 2016

LMS SEGi education group

THE OEDOMETER TEST

Method B

Method A

Final water content after swelling f Dry mass after swelling M d

Final thickness after swelling period H f
Void ratio after swelling e G
f

Area of test sample A

Equivalent thickness of solid particles H s

Void ratio after swelling e f

H f Hs
Hs

Md
AGs w

Hf
Hs

The void ratio at the start of each load increment stage

may be obtained by working backwards from the
final water content and thickness readings.
Void ratio at the end of a stage e f
Thickness at start and end of a stage H o and H1
Change in thickness H H o H1
From eqn. (10.1); change in void ratio, e

V
H
e

Vo
Ho
1 eo

H
1 e1
H1

Void ratio at start of a stage, e0 e1 e

Alternatively, e0

Ho
1
Hs
5

THE OEDOMETER TEST - Result Interpretation

Plotting compression curves

The data collected from the oedometer test
enables changes in void ratio to be related to
changes in effective stress.

V
H
e

Vo
Ho
1 eo

The amount of consolidation settlement can

then be obtained using the e/ curve. Figure 10.7
shows void ratio/effective stress curve (e/).
Consolidation of settlement then is given by;
H

e e1
e
H 0
H0
1 eo
1 e0

Fig. 10.8 swelling & recompression path.

The shape of e/ curve depends on the
consolidation history. If the soil was initially
normally consolidated the compression path AB
moves along NCL.
After unloading from point B it follows the
swelling line (SRL) to C reloading would cause
recompression to D and further loading normal
compression from D onword.

THE OEDOMETER TEST - Result Interpretation

Determination of coefficient of volume

compressibility (mv)
The coefficient of volume compressibility (mv)
represents the amount of change in unit volume
due a unit increase in effective stress.

V
H
e

Vo
Ho
1 eo

The value mv is not constant for a given soil but

varies with the level of effective stress.
From equation 10.2, mv is given by;

H
' H
H
e
But

H
1 e0
mv

therefore mv
where

e
1

' 1 e0

e
'

slope
of
the
e
/

curve
'

THE OEDOMETER TEST - Result Interpretation

Determination of the compression index (Cc)

If the test data are plotted as e against log
the NCL found to be a straightly line, Figure 10.9
The initial curved part is representative the
preconsolidation the greater the length of this
curve, the greater amount of overconsolidation.
The compression index (Cc) is slope of the
NCL (portion of a straight line) and is measured
from the plot;
Cc

e0 e1
e0 e1
e

log ' log 1' / 0'

log 1' log 0'

Thus the change in void ratio for a give in

effective stress is ; e0 e1 Cc log 1' / 0'
The compression index (Cc) may be taken as
a constant in settlement computations providing
the lies within the limit of the NCL, i.e. it is acting
as normally consolidated clay.
C
Consolidation settlement is given by;

1'
ss
log ' H 0
1 e0
0
c

Compression Index

Cc

e2 e1
2
log
1

Recompression Index

e2 e1
Cr
2
log
1
(d) Void ratio versus effective stress
(log scale)
(after Holtz & Kovacs, 1981)

Figure 3.6 Swelling and

recompression
(after Whitlow, 2001)
10

Table 3.2 Correlation equations for soil compressibility/consolidation

(after Bowles, 1997)

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3.3.5 Preconsolidation Pressure

Soils have a memory of the stress and other changes that have occurred
during their history.

The maximum stress experienced by the soil in their history is known as the
preconsolidation pressure p.

To know the soil preconsolidation status, Overconsolidation ratio (OCR) is used :

where vo is the existing overburden pressure

To know the soil preconsolidation status, Overconsolidation ratio (OCR) is used :

If OCR > 1,
Overconsolidated
pConsolidated

OCR =OCR
1, Normal

OCR < 1, Under

Consolidated
vo

12

Determination of Preconsolidation Pressure

Using Casagrande Construction

Figure 3.7 Casagrande construction

Choose by eye the point of

minimum radius (or maximum
curvature) on the consolidation
curve (indicated by point a).
Draw a horizontal line from point
a.
Draw a line tangent to the curve
at point a.
Bisect the angle made by steps 2
and 3.
Extend the straight line portion of
the virgin compression curve up
to where it meets the bisector
line obtained in step 4. The preconsolidation pressure p is the
intersect point between the two
(indicated by point f ).
13

Worked Example 10.4

The following readings were obtained from an oedometer test on a specimen
of saturated clay. The load being held constant for 24 hour before the
addition of the next increment.
Applied stress
(kPa)

25

50

100

200

400

800

Thickness
(mm)

19.60

19.25

18.98

18.61

18.14

17.68

17.24

At the end of the last load period, the load was removed and the sample
allowed to expand for 24 hour, at the end of which time its thickness was
17.92mm and its water content found to be 31.8 percent. The specific
gravity of the soil was 2.66.
(a)

Plot the e/ curve and determine the coefficient of volume compressibility

(mv) for an effective stress range of 220-360kPa.

(b)

Plot the e/log curve and from it determine the compressibility index (C C)
and the preconsolidation pressure(pc).

(c)

Plot a mv/ curve for the soil.

(d)

Used the data obtained in (a), (b), and to obtain and compare the
values for consolidation settlement for 4m thick layer of clay when the

SOLUTION
Firstly, determine the final void ratio.
Since Sr = 1.0;

e1 = w1Gs
= 0.318 2.66
= 0.842

Change in void ratio;

during swelling stage:

e= (h/h0) (1 + e0)
e = (0.68/17.92) (1 + 0.842)
= 0.070

during 400-800 stage:

e = (-0.44/17.24) (1 + 0.772)
= - 0.045

The rest of the results and calculations are tabulated below:

(kPa)

(kPa)

h (mm)
19.60

25
25

0.978

18.98

100

0.950

18.61

200

0.912

18.14

400

0.864

17.68

0.817
-0.44

17.24

17.92

0.715

1.120

0.566

1.760

0.390

0.480

0.251

0.235

0.126

0.113

0.062

2.30
-0.047
2.60
-0.045

0.772
0.68

1.440

2.00
-0.048

-0.46

400

mv (m2/MN)

1.70
-0.038

-0.47

200

(e/)10-3

1.40
-0.028

-0.37

100

log

-0.036

-0.27

50

1.014

19.25

50

-0.35

25

800

h (mm)

2.90
0.070

0.842

(a) Figure below shows the e vs. curve

e

e0 =
0.858

1 =
360

0 =
220

e1 =
0.825

From the curve: for 0 = 220, e = 0.858

for 1 = 360, e = 0.825
e = (0.858 -0.825) 103 = 0.033 103
= 360 220 = 140
1 + e0 = 1 + 0.858 = 1.858
Volume compressibility,

mV = (e/)(1/1+e0)
= e/[(1+e0)]
= (0.033 103)/ (140 1.858)
= 0.127 m2/MN

(b) The e/log curve is shown below:

e
T
Q

=35

log

Compressibility index; CC = slope of straight portion

= (0.864 0.772) / (log 800 log 200)
= 0.153
From Casagrande method, log = 1.55
Thus, the preconsolidation method, p = 35 kPa

Question..
Table below shows a result of one dimensional
consolidation test on a saturated sample or
normally consolidated clay.
Final height of sample which was measured after
24 hours of the unloading process is 17.75mm.
The sample was fully saturated with water
content and specific gravity respectively of 28.5%
and 2.65
Pressure
(KN/m2)

Thickness of
sample
18.50
(mm)

50

100

200

400

18.02

17.86

17.35

17.22

17.75

Given;
Water content, w = 28.5%
Specific gravity, SG= 2.65
a)

b)

Calculate void ratio at the end of each

pressure stage.
Plot the void ratio against log curve
and determine the value for
reconsolidation stress.

Solution..
Applied
Pressure (Kpa)

Change in
' (Kpa)

Thickness,
h
(mm)

(mm)

(e)

18.5
50

50

0.75

100

0.27

200

0.11

400

0.40
-0.53
17.75

(Kpa)

0.829

0.782

1.646

0.766

2.000

0.715

2.301

0.703

2.602

0.755

-0.040

17.22
400

(e)

0.011

17.35
200

log '

0.027

17.86
100

Void Ratio

0.074

18.02
50

-0.052

Reference

Das, B.M. (1990). Principles of Geotechnical

Engineering, 5th ed., Thomson Learning, Inc.,
USA.

Last Updated:April 22, 2016

LMS SEGi education group

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