Consolidation (Lecture-4)

Assignment
Problems on consolidation chapter:
1. In a consolidation test the void ratio changed from 0.7 to 0.65 when the load was changed
from 50kN/m2 to 100kN/m2. Determine the co-efficient of volume change, co-efficient of
compressibility and compression index.
2. A sand fill compacted to a bulk density of 18.8418 kN/m3 is to be placed on a compressible
saturated deposit of peat soil 3.5m thick. The height of the sand fill is to be 3m. If the co-
efficient of volume compressibility of the deposit is 7x10-4m2/kN, estimate the final
settlement of the fill.
3. The following results were obtained from a consolidation test.
Pressure, kN/m2 0 0.13 0.27 0.54 1.08 2.14 4.8 9.6 15
Dial reading, cm 0 0.0 0.004 0.016 0.044 0.104 0.218 0.34 0.42
Initial height of sample was 2.5cm and height of soil solid was 1.25cm. Plot the pressure
void ratio curve and determine the compression index and the preconsolidation pressure.
4. An 18mm thick laboratory specimen drained at top and bottom reached 25% consolidation
in 10minutes. How long would it take the same specimen to reach 50% consolidation?
5. An undisturbed sample of clay, 24mm thick, consolidated 50% in 20minutes when tested
in the laboratory with drainage allowed at top and bottom. The clay layer from which the
sample was obtained is 4m thick in the field. How much time will it take to consolidate
50% with double drainage? Calculate the time of 50% consolidation for single drainage.
6. The time required for a clay layer to achieve 60% consolidation is 10 years. Find the time
required to achieve 60% consolidation, if the clay layer were twice as thick, two times more
permeable and two times more compressible than the original clay layer. Consider single
drainage in both the cases.
7. A saturated soil has compression index Cc = 0.27. Its void ratio at a stress of 125 kN/m2 is
2.04, and its permeability is 3.5 Χ 10-8cm/sec . Compute : (a) the change in void ratio if the
stress is increased to 187.5kN/m2; (b) the settlement if the soil stratum is 5m thick; and (c)
Time required for 50% consolidation to occur if drainage is one way and time factor is
0.196 for 50% consolidation.
8. A laboratory consolidation test was performed on a specimen of clay 2.5 cm thick. The
sample was drained at top & bottom. The time required for 50% consolidation of this
sample was 12 minutes. Initial moisture content of the sample was 35% . Determine the co
efficient of consolidation of clay.
Calculate the time required for 50% and 90% consolidation for the same clay
deposit of 3m thickness in the field drained at both ends. Compare the results for single
drainage.
9. Find the ratio of the co-efficients of permeability of two clay specimens, A and B, whose
initial void ratios at equilibrium under a pressure of 1kg/cm2 are respectively 0.550 &
0.632 and which decreases to 0.495 & 0.616 respectively when the pressure is increased to
1.5kg/cm2. The initial thickness of specimen A was 30mm and that of B 20mm. The time
 taken by specimen A to reach 50% consolidation is 1/3 of that required by specimen B for
reaching same degree of consolidation.
10. Soil investigation at a site give the following information: Top soil up to a depth of 5m is
fine sand, and below this lies a soft clay layer of 8m thick. The water table is at 3m below
the ground surface. The submerged unit of sand is 10.5kN/m3, and wet unit weight above
water table is 18kN/m3. The water content of the normally consolidated clay is 40%, its
liquid limit is 45% and specific gravity of the soil particles is 2.78. The proposed
construction will transmit a net stress of 110kN /m2 at the centre of clay layer. Estimate the
expected consolidation settlement of clay layer due to proposed structure.
11. Soil investigation at a site give the following information: Top soil up to a depth of 5.6m
is fine sand, and below this lies soft clay layer of 7.90m thick. The water table is at 4.60m
below the ground surface. The submerged unit of sand γsub is 10.4kN/m3, and wet unit
weight above water table is 17.6kN/m3. The water content of the normally consolidated
clay is wn = 40%, its liquid limit , wL = 45%, and specific gravity of the solid particles
is 2.78. The proposed construction having size 2.5m x 2.5m will transmit a net stress of
120kN/m2 at its base embedded 2.0m below ground level. Find the consolidation settlement
due to proposed structure assuming a pressure distribution of 2 vertical to 1 horizental .