Consolidation test

Objectives

 To conduct the consolidation test on a soil sample

 To determine the coefficient of volume compressibility
 To obtain the coefficient of consolidation for the soil

Introduction

Consolidation is a time dependent process that decreases the volume of soil due to drainage of pore
water. When soil is under stress, the pore water pressure will increase. With time, water will drain,
decreasing the excess pore water pressure. The time required depends on the coefficient of
consolidation.

Equipment

 Consolidation testing apparatus

 Weights
 Cylindrical metal ring
 container
 Porous stone×2
 Filter paper×2
 Rammer
 Stopwatch
 Wash bottle
 Dial gauge

Procedure

 Preparation of soil sample

o First the dimensions of the ring were measured.
o Next soil was crushed and mixed with water until optimum moisture content was
reached.
o Then a porous stone and filter paper was placed inside the ring.
o Next, soil was placed on top and compacted, and excess soil was scraped off the ring.
o After that the ring was carefully placed in the container, and filter paper with a porous
stone was placed on the soil sample.
 Testing procedure
o Testing was carried out for the second loading increment.
o First the current stress on the sample, additional pressure on the sample and the
additional load required was calculated.
o Then water was added to the sample to keep it saturated.
o After that the jack screw raised until it touched the loading arm.
o Next, the required load was carefully added, without disturbing the apparatus.
o Then the jack screw was lowered, and a stopwatch was started at the same moment.
o Dial gauge readings were taken at the required time periods.
Observations

Date Time Time elapsed Root time Dial reading Settlement (mm)
(min) (min½) (mm)
05.03.2018 14:11:00 0.00 0.000 -0.984 0.000
14:11:05 0.08 0.289 -1.198 0.214
14:11:10 0.17 0.408 -1.222 0.238
14:11:15 0.25 0.500 -1.245 0.261
14:11:30 0.50 0.707 -1.294 0.310
14:12:00 1.00 1.000 -1.350 0.366
14:13:00 2.00 1.414 -1.411 0.427
14:15:00 4.00 2.000 -1.459 0.475
14:19:00 8.00 2.828 -1.506 0.522
14:26:00 15.00 3.873 -1.524 0.540
14:41:00 30.00 5.477 -1.539 0.555
15:11:00 60.00 7.746 -1.552 0.568
15:11:41 90.00 9.487 -1.559 0.575
06.03.2018 14:11:00 1440.00 37.947 -1.579 0.595

Calculations

∆h
 mv =
∆ σH
0.984
 mv =
54.048 ∙(20−0.984)
 m v =9.574 ×10−4 m2 kN −1

( 20−0.984)
 H=
2
 H=9.508 mm

 √ t 90=1.5 min1/ 2
 t 90=1.225 min
 Cvt
 T v=
H2
C v t 90
 T 90=
H2
0.848 ×( 9.508)2
 C v=
1.225
 C v =62.508 mm2 min−1
 C v =32.892 m2 year −1

 δ 0=0.1375 mm
 δ 100 =0.585 mm

(0.1375−0.585)
 δ 50=
2
 δ 50=0.2238 mm

 t 50=0.103 min

C v t 50
 T 50=
H2
0.197 × ( 9.508 )2
 C v=
0.103
 C v =172.905 mm2 min−1
 C v =90.879 m 2 year −1
Results
Discussion

The consolidation test is an important test used in the field of geotechnical engineering. It causes the
settlement of soil due to long term stress. Settlement of soil can have adverse effects on buildings,
roads, and other types of construction. Even though there are several causes for settlement it can be
mitigated by considering the consolidation aspect. The results from consolidation test can be applied to
predict future settlement of soil. Although the test was developed in the early 20 th century, it is still
relevant and widely used.

By conducting the test, mainly two parameters are obtained.

 Coefficient of volume compressibility

It is defined as change in volumetric strain per unit volume per unit change in effective stress in
one-dimensional compression. The value depends on the effective stress acting on a soil. It can
be used to estimate the settlement of soil due to construction.

 Coefficient of consolidation

This is a measure of the rate of change of volume in consolidation. It gives an idea of the
settlement of soil due to the reduction of soil volume due to consolidation. It is assumed that
the consolidation is one dimensional and that lateral strain does not occur. This value varies
with the amount of pore water, thereby, the permeability of the soil.

There are several shortcomings in the consolidation test. The main problem being the significant time
duration. Each load increment must be in place for 24 hours. Furthermore, the long duration means that
the water used for saturation of the sample may be vaporised. Also, at the beginning of a load
increment it is difficult to obtain dial gauge readings due to the fast rate of displacement. Most of the
measurements at the time can have large deviations. Another problem is that the testing apparatus
cannot be disturbed after loading. Any disturbance may cause additional settlement leading to errors.

Several of the shortcomings mentioned above can be overcome. The speed of the test can be increased
by conducting either a constant rate of loading or a constant rate of strain consolidation test. These
tests use pore water pressure and settlement to obtain the coefficient of consolidation.

To obtain correct readings at the initial stages of a test, several people can record the readings and
average values can be calculated. Additionally, the dial gauge readings can be recorded on a video
camera and the measurements can be obtained later. The latter method can greatly improve accuracy.
Conclusion

A consolidation test was successfully conducted on a soil specimen. The settlement of the soil sample
was measured at different time intervals in each load increment. Those values were used in the Taylor
and Casagrande methods to evaluate the coefficient of volume compressibility and coefficient of
consolidation. The practical experience gave essential knowledge on an important testing process in
geotechnical engineering.
References
K, R., 2016. Consolidation Test. [Online]
Available at: http://cemmlab.webhost.uic.edu/Experiment%2011-Consolidation.pdf
[Accessed 9 March 2018].

NPTEL, 2017. Compressibility Characteristics. [Online]

Available at: http://nptel.ac.in/courses/105103097/38
[Accessed 10 March 2018].

P, D., 2002. Designing of Soil - Mixture Barriers:. [Online]

Available at: http://www.iaea.org/inis/collection/NCLCollectionStore/_Public/35/022/35022473.pdf
[Accessed 11 March 2018].

Yong R, T. F., 1985. Consolidation of Soils: Testing and Evaluation. 1st ed. Philadelphia: ASTM.