O.C.

Clays
For an increase in stress, p, where
po + p < pc

St = Cs H log po+p
1+ eo po

O.C. Clays
For an increase in stress, ’, where
po + p > pc

St= H Cs llog pc + Cc log

l po+p
+
1+ eo po pc

Time Rate of Consolidation

U = Average Degree of
Consolidation
Tv = Non-dimensional
Time Factor
Tv = cv t / Hdr2
For U < 60%
Tv = .25  (U%/100)2
For U > 60%
Tv=1.781 - 0.933 log (100-U%)

CEEN3160-Consolidation2 1
 Variation of U with time

Tv= t {cv / Hdr2}

Determination of cv
 Relationship between U and Tv
established
 cv = Tv Hdr2 / t = fn {U Hdr2 / t}
 Use lab data to identify time required to
reach some pre-defined level of U
 Solve for cv with known t, Hdr, Tv
 Examine load increment which best
represents field conditions

Determination of Cv

Log-of-Time Method

For U=50%

Tv = 0.197=cvt50/Hdr2

cv=0.197 Hdr2 / t50

t2 = 4t1

CEEN3160-Consolidation2 2
 Other Methods for cv
 Square Root of Time
 t90

 Early Stage log

log-tt Method
 t22.14
 Hyperbola Method
 Good for U = 60 – 90%

Settlement under
Foundations

c = q Ic

t

m ’o

b ’f=’o+av

av = 1/6 {t+4m+b}

Precompression
 Fill loads used to produce some or
all of expected settlement prior to
construction
 Limits after-construction settlement
to tolerable level
 Monitor pore pressures or actual
settlement

CEEN3160-Consolidation2 3
 Other Techniques
 To hasten pre-consolidation, need to
increase surcharge load or decrease
drainage time
 Shorten drainage path
 Sand Drains
 Wick Drains

Consolidation Workshop
Maximum consolidation settlement
in the clay layer = ?
Q = 40 kips

2ft
Sand, =110 pcf

3ft
Saturated Sand, sat=118 pcf
4 ft x 4 ft

7ft Saturated Clay, sat=123.3 pcf
w=25.2%, eo=0.66, LL=42

Bedrock

CEEN 3160 – F10 - Consolidation Workshop

0.70

0.65

0.60

0.55

0.50
Ratio, e

0 45
0.45
Void R

0.40

0.35

0.30

0.25

0.20
100 1000 10000 100000
Log P, psf

CEEN3160-Consolidation2 4