CE 416 Geotechnical Engineering II: Foundation Engineering

Consolidation Test

Conti, Jeneva B.
dela Cruz, Joyce Camille V.
Ilustrisimo, Harold Loyd M.
Marasigan, Jean A.
Rosas, John Leo L.
(i) Title Page
(ii) Abstract
(iii) Table of Contents

(iv) Objective(s)
This laboratory experiment aims determine the effect of the applied to the clay by
measuring the settlement after the given time.

(v) Theoretical Background

Consolidation is the process in which reduction in volume takes place by
expulsion of water under long term static loads. It occurs when stress is applied to a soil
that causes the soil particles to pack together more tightly, therefore reducing its bulk
volume. When this occurs in a soil that is saturated with water, water will be squeezed
out of the soil.
Consolidation is necessary to determine both the magnitude of volume change
(or the settlement) and the time required for the volume change to occur. The
magnitude of settlement is dependent on the magnitude of applied stress, thickness of
the soil layer, and the compressibility of the soil.
(vi) Materials and Equipment
Modeling Clay
Weight
Stopwatch
Ruler
(vii) Experimental Procedure
Mold the clay to form a cube, measure the dimension. Weigh the load to be apply
on the specimen. Put the load on the top of the clay and wait for 15 mins. Then remove
the load and measure the settlement occurred on the clay.

(viii) Analysis of Data

Table 1.

Sample Load Time Initial Height Final Height

Modeling Clay 694 grams 15 mins 381 mm 254 mm
(ix) Discussion of Results
The secondary consolidation takes place after the load is applied to the
specimen. The consolidation increases with respect to time. Based on the results it
takes 15 minutes to have a settlement of 127mm.

(x) Conclusions and Recommendations

In the laboratory test that was done, in using the clay as a sample in
consolidation test, load has something to do with the settlement in a clay particles in the
sense that the initial height changed after applying the load.
(xi) References
http://nptel.ac.in/courses/105103097/37

(xii) Appendices