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1
Consolidation Settlement
We will focus on consolidation settlement
2
Consolidation Settlement
Lets look at how a saturated clay reacts to an applied load,
starting at time = 0 (immediately after load was applied).
Assuming some clay layer of thickness H with drainage both
above and below (sand layers)
v = uv + v
H = H + H
3
Consolidation Settlement
Now at some time > 0
The water slowly is squeezed out of soil and takes the path of
least resistance
Pore pressure is decreasing while the effective stress increases
v = uv + v
H = H + H
4
Consolidation Settlement
Finally at time =
Pore water is in equilibrium and the soil skeleton is carrying the
entire load
This process will take time weeks, months, even years
Why and what might this depend on?
v = uv + v
H = H + H
5
Laboratory Consolidation Test
In the lab a soil consolidation test is used to
determine settlement characteristics of a soil
All settlement will occur in voids
HsA = Vs
HsA = Ws/Gsw
Hv Hs = Ws/AGsw
Hv = H Hs
Hs
eo = Vv/Vs = HvA / HsA = Hv/Hs
A
eo = void ratio at time 0
e = H1/Hs
e1 = eo e
e1 = void ratio at time > 0 6
7
Consolidation Curve
Plotting e vs. Log p (void ratio on a linear scale
vs the load on a log scale)
Log p 8
Consolidation Curve
9
Consolidation Curve
10
Overconsolidated Normally Consolidated
Overconsolidated Some past stress was greater than
current stress
Normally Consolidated Current stress is max
c
Log p 11
Overconsolidated Normally Consolidated
Overconsolidated Some past stress was greater than
current stress
Normally Consolidated Current stress is max
Once c is found from the curve
It is compared to the actual in
the field (z)
If c= v Normally
e Consolidated
If c > v Overconsolidated
ie Sample depth 10, no water
c table, = 120 pcf, the actual
= 1200 psf
Log p Compare that to c from consol
12
Overconsolidation Ratio
13
Finding Pc Casagrandes Method
3
1
14
Calculation of Settlement
Consider a layer of clay under an external load
H V e = eo-e1
Voids Vv=e
Soil Voids Vv=e
H = V0
V1
Solids Vs=1 Solids Vs=1
V = V0-V1 = HA (H-H)A = HA
We know e=Vv/Vs Also e =Vv/Vs as Vs does not change
15
Calculation of Settlement
V = V0-V1 = HA (H-H)A = HA
Solve for Vv = e Vs
Therefore V = Vv = HA
now
HA = e Vs Equation 1
Vs = V0 / (1+e0) = AH / (1+e0) Equation 2
HA / e = HA / (1 + e0)
We get
H = H e / (1+e0)
c
Log p 18
Calculation of Settlement
Normally Consolidated Soil
H = Cc H / (1 + e0) log [(v+ v) / v]
Why? 19
Calculation of Settlement
Over Consolidated Soil If (v+ v) > c
H = Cr H / (1 + e0) log c / v + CcH / (1+e0) log [(v+ v) / c]
c
Log p 20
Calculation of Settlement
Over Consolidated Soil If (v+ v) < c
c
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Log p
Calculation of Settlement
The text covers several methods for
determining the values of Cr and Cc. Take a
look at those
v Recall the plot at left
Now consider a layer of clay to
be analyzed for settlement
Now look at the settlement
z equations
Given an H How do you
determine the values of the
stresses in that layer?
22
Settlement
Lets plot all the stresses
v
v+ v
> c
z v < c
c
23
Settlement
To solve any settlement problem with an
overconsolidated soil you MUST do this plot (or at
least calc the data points) to solve
v
v+ v
> c
z v < c
c
24