Consolidation Settlement Examples 4

1. An airfield pavement is to be constructed on a large area of soft clay,

8.0m thick, overlying a heavily fissured sandstone. In order to provide
a stronger formation for the runways, current ground level is to be
raised by 2.0m of granular fill, compacted to a bulk unit weight of
18kN/m3. The phreatic surface is at current ground level; the
saturated unit weight of the clay is 20kN/m3.
The following results were obtained from an oedometer test carried
out on a sample of the clay over the pressure range 50-100kN/m 2.
Using these data, determine the coefficient of compressibility,
consolidation and permeability. By considering the stress changes at the centre
of the clay layer, calculate the total consolidation settlement of the layer and the time
required to achieve 90% consolidation. (0.897m2/MN; 0.834m2/yr; 7.3410-3 m/yr;
258mm; 15.75 years).

Time (mins)

Sample
Thickness
(mm)

18.052

0.25

17.953

17.904

2.25

17.861

17.813

17.722

16

17.629

25

17.545

36

17.508

49

17.462

64

17.449

24 hours

17.242

2.

The results of a consolidation test on a sample of clay for the

pressure range 200-300 kN/m2 are shown below. From these data
determine,
(a)

determine the coefficients of permeability, compressibility and

consolidation
(3.410-3 m/yr; 0.421m2/MN; 0.815m2/yr).
(b)

determine the time required for an 8m thick layer of this clay

to reach 80% primary consolidation if it is drained from both
upper and lower boundaries and subjected to the same stress
changes (10.67 years).

Time (mins)

Sample
Thickness
(mm)

17.960

0.25

17.913

17.864

2.25

17.816

17.773

17.683

16

17.590

25

17.506

36

17.469

49

17.423

64

17.410

24 hours

17.204

3.

A 3.25m thick clay layer is subjected to a uniform increase in effective vertical stress
from 80kN/m2 to 140kN/m2. Drainage of the clay layer can take place vertically
upwards and downwards. Careful monitoring of the consolidation settlement of the
layer gave the following results:

Time (years)
Settlement (mm)

(a)

(b)

0.06

0.24

0.54

0.96

1.50

2.18

3.02

4.31

6.45

9.0

15

30

45

61

76

91

107

122

137

146

Assuming 1-dimensional conditions prevail, calculate,

(i)

the coefficient of consolidation, cV (in m2/year).

(ii)

the coefficient of volume compressibility, mV (in m2/MN).

A 2.5m layer of similar clay is subjected to a change in effective stress from

70kN/m2 to 120kN/m2. If this layer has drainage from the top surface only, calculate the time
required to achieve 67mm consolidation.
Ans: (a)(i) 0.33m2/yr; (a)(ii) 0.78m2/MN; (b) 7.36 years

4. A clay layer of thickness 5.8m is underlain by an impermeable layer

of hard shale and overlain by a moderately permeable granular layer.
The loading will be such that the effective stress in the clay layer will
be increased uniformly over its whole thickness over a wide area.
In a laboratory oedometer test a specimen of the clay of thickness
20mm, subject to the same effective stress, showed a change in void
ratio from 0.827 to 0.806. It was observed that after 30 minutes had
elapsed, 65% of the primary consolidation had taken place.
3

(a)

calculate the expected consolidation settlement of the layer

(Ans: 67mm);
(b)

plot the primary settlement versus time curve for the layer
(time at which 10%, 20%, 30% etc. consolidation settlement is
achieved);

(c)

(continued over)

obtain the excess pore water pressure (as a percentage of the

original excess pore water pressure at the beginning of
consolidation) at the centre of the layer at 50% and 75%
consolidation (Ans: 55%; 27%).

5.

A layer of clay beneath a building of large plan area has consolidated and careful
monitoring has shown that a settlement of 15mm has resulted in the initial 300 days
since the structure became operational. According to the results from laboratory
consolidation tests, this corresponds to approximately 35% consolidation of the
ultimate consolidation settlement of the layer. You are required to provide the
settlement versus time curve for the initial 7-year period (time at which 5%,
10%, 15%, 20%, 30% etc. consolidation settlement is achieved).
Assume that drainage of the layer can occur in one direction only (i.e. single-drainage
conditions) and neglect any settlement during construction.

SOLUTIONS

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