Consolidation Settlement Examples 2

1.

The following results were recorded from a consolidation test on a sample of

saturated clay.
Pressure
kN/m2

Sample thickness
after consolidation
mm
25.0
24.6
24.4
24.2
23.9
23.7
24.2

0
50
100
200
400
800
0

The water content at the end of the test was 23.1 % and the specific gravity of the soil
particles was 2.68. Calculate the void ratio at the end of each pressure stage, and plot
the pressure/void ratio curve. Determine the coefficient of compressibility for a
pressure range 200-300kN/m2.

2. A flexible foundation 10m 25m is to be constructed at a depth of 2.0m and exerts a

gross uniform contact pressure of 300kN/m2. The ground conditions comprise a 6m
thick layer of sand on top of 6m of soft clay overlying rockhead. The water table is
3m below ground level. The saturated unit weights of the sand and clay are 20kN/m 3
and 22kN/m3 respectively. From the results of laboratory tests on samples of the clay
Eu = 25MN/m2 and mv = 710-2 m2/MN.
Calculate the final settlement of the foundation at its plan centre due to the elastic and
the consolidation compression of the clay layer.
You can assume that the clay layer undergoes 1-D consolidation and the sand above
the water table is fully saturated. Steinbrenner's Chart and Fadum's Chart apply.

3. A level site has 4.5m of granular material overlying a 1.0m thick layer of normally
consolidated clay, which, itself, overlies bedrock. The water-table is at ground level.
In order to utilise the area, the ground-water is permanently lowered by 2.0m using
land drainage. Subsequently, 1.5m of imported fill material is placed over the whole
site. The following properties have been determined from site investigation:
1

Granular:

Clay:

Bulk unit weight

(above g.w.l)

18.5kN/m3

(below g.w.l)

20.0kN/m3

Bulk unit weight

21.5kN/m3

Initial moisture content

28%

Particle specific gravity

2.65

Compression Index

0.24
17.0kN/m3

Imported Fill: Bulk unit weight

Calculate the ultimate consolidation settlement of the clay layer which can be
anticipated from the operation.
4.

A sample of normally consolidated clay gave the following results when subjected to
a consolidation test, each loading increment was maintained for 24-hours.

Pressure
kN/m2

Sample thickness
mm

17.32

54

16.84

108

16.48

216

16.18

432

15.85

16.51

After the sample had been allowed to swell its moisture content was determined as
30.2%. The particle specific gravity was 2.65.
a) Plot the curves of the void ratio versus effective stress and the void ratio versus
log10(effective stress).
b) Determine the settlement of a 5.0m thick layer of the clay consolidating onedimensionally under a vertical pressure range of 100-200kN/m2 :
i.

by the coefficient of volume compressibility; and,

ii.

by the compression index.

SOLUTIONS

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