CONSOLIDATION ANALYSIS

-stuff you should know to complete your lab assignment

CIE 366: Soil Mechanics Laboratory Originally by Mike St. Pierre, 2007 Modified by Will Manion, 2008

Coefficient of Consolidation (cv)

For every load increment

10 increments -- 10 plots

Holtz and Kovacs(1981) section 9.4, pg 395 Use the Casagrande logarithm of time curve fitting method.

Fig. 9.7 on page 398 shows it nicely.

Coefficient of Consolidation (cv)

cv

T50 H dr50 t50

cv (cm2/sec) T50 = time factor at U = 50% Hdr50 = height of drainage at U = 50% t50 = time at U = 50% U = percent of primary consolidation

From Table 9-1 pg 390 If Uavg = 50%, T50 = 0.197

Coefficient of Consolidation (cv) Casagrande log time method

Construct a plot of dial reading vs. log of time

Figure 9.7, pg 398

To determine

H dr50

H o ( R50 Rstart ) 2

Ho = Initial height of specimen Rstart = 0 (if you zeroed the dial at the beginning of the test) R50 you determine from the plot

Coefficient of Consolidation (cv) Casagrande log time method: R50

May have to plot data points and complete construction on paper see next slide

determine Ro, when U = 0%

this is NOT your first reading

determine R100, when U = 100% then average to find R50, which then graphically corresponds to t50

Tim e (m in) 0.1 0.065 1 10 100 1000 10000

Ro
0.070

R1

R, the same distance

0.075

R2

R R1 at t1 R2 at t2 (t2 = t1 x 4) R = R2 R1

0.080

Dial Readings (in)

0.085

0.090

0.095

0.100

0.105

0.110

0.115

Tim e (m in) 0.1 0.065 1 10 100 1000 10000

Ro
0.070 0.075

0.080

Dial Readings (in)

0.085

0.090

0.095

R100
0.100 0.105

0.110

0.115

Tim e (m in) 0.1 0.065 1 10 100 1000 10000

Ro
0.070 0.075

0.080

R50 = (R100-Ro) / 2
Dial Readings (in)
0.085 0.090

0.095

R100
0.100 0.105

0.110

0.115

Void Ratio (e) versus Log Stress ()

Determine initial height and final height for load increment Calculate the void ratio for each load increment Plot e versus log effective stress

You will have to print the plot and perform the construction on paper show all work Holtz and Kovacs (1981) Figure 8.6, pg 296

On paper, determine values from the Void Ratio (e) versus Log Stress () plot

Using methodology from Figure 8.6 Determine the (most probable) preconsolidation pressure (p) Steps from Holtz and Kovacs pg 296
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Choose point of maximum curvature (point A) Draw horizontal line from point A Draw tangent to curve at point A Bisect angle made in Steps 2 and 3 Extend straight line portion of virgin compression curve through bisector line

Minimum Possible Most Probable

1.20

eo
1.15

5
1.10 1.05

2
1

1.00

Void Ratio, e

4
0.95

Maximum Possible
0.90

3
0.85

0.80

0.75

0.70 0.1 1 Effective Consolidation Stress (tsf) 10 100

On paper, determine values from the Void Ratio (e) versus Log Stress () plot

Determine compression index (Cc)

Slope of virgin compression curve aka the steep part of curve Holtz and Kovacs Figure 8.9 pg 316 graphically Holtz and Kovacs Figure 8.7 pg 313 analytically
Slope of the unloading/reloading part of curve Holtz and Kovacs Figure 8.9 pg 316

Determine recompression index (Cr)

1.20

1.15

1.10

1.05

1.00

Void Ratio, e

0.95

0.90

0.85

0.80

0.75

0.70 0.1 1 Effective Consolidation Stress (tsf) 10 100

Details, Details, Details

Consolidation Memo

Due three weeks from today ONE PAPER COPY for the whole group Hand draw constructions (Make them neat) 11 plot attachments (label them appropriately)

Each lab member responsible for ONE loading increment and cv plot

Sign bottom right hand corner