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Consolidation Stress
Consolidation Stress
Firm Somewhat less than ’vo, preferably using the next lower
recommended pressure.
Equal to ’vo, or the next higher recommended pressure if ’vo
Stiff
is less than ps.
represents the estimated present vertical effective stress in situ at the horizon
’vo from which the specimen was taken.
ps represents the swelling pressure.
After BS 1377: 1990, Part 5, Table 1
Note:
1. Figure in bold denotes maximum stress for the estimated soil consistency.
a) BS 1377: 1990, Part 5, Clause 3.5.3-Unloading (Note 1). “Normally the number of unloading
stages should be at least half the number of loading stage”.
b) BS EN ISO 17892-5: 2017, Clause 6.5.1.6, Page 8 - It is recommended to include one or more
unload/reload loops in the loading sequence. Normally, the number of unloading stages during
each unloading should be at least two.
c) Head, K.H., 1994, Volume 2, Section 14.5.5 (19), page 389 – “Usual practice is to unload and
allow swelling in about half the number of stages as were applied during consolidation, with not
less than two unloading stages”. The author was engaged as Drafting Consultant for the
revision of BS 1377.
d) ASTM D2435/D2435M-2011,
Clause 1.3 – It shall be the responsibility of the agency requesting this test to specify the
magnitude and sequence of each load increment, including the location of a rebound cycle, if
required.
Clause 11.4.5 – An alternative loading, unloading, or reloading schedule may be employed that
reproduces the construction stress changes or allows better definition of some part of the
stress-strain (compression) curve, or aids in interpreting the field behavior of the soil, or is
specified by the requesting agency.
When the stress on a test specimen is reduced, there is an initial immediate heave (rapid primary swell)
followed by a long-term secondary swelling which becomes linear on a log-time plot. The Cr or Cs is
usually not sensitive to whether it is two, three or four unloading stages as to the linear behavior of
unloading. The unloading sequence can be based on technical considerations as follows:
a) Equally spaced 3 to 4 points on a log pressure scale
b) Halving the total (maximum) stress in reverse order of loading stages.
c) One-fourth as large as the preceding stress, that is, skips every other stress.
d) Alternative unloading schedule of at least two stages to half and one-fourth maximum or half to
the lowest initial stress.
e) Alternative unloading schedule – Table 3.
Example:
Two stages unloading to half and one-fourth maximum.
Source: BS EN ISO 17892-5: 2017, Clause 7.3.5.1, Figure 2