F16/137279/2019

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL
ENGINEERING

SOIL MECHANICS LABORATORY

1. FALLING HEAD PERMEABILITY TEST
OBJECTIVE OF THE EXPERIMENT
To obtain the permeability of a given cohesive soil.
INTRODUCTION
This is a method of measuring the permeability of a soil using a falling head
permeameter, which is an instrument in which water is passed through a soil
sample and the hydraulic gradient and quantity of water flowing into the sample
are measured.

PRINCIPLE OF THE METHOD

The principal of the falling head parameter is based on water allowed to run
through the stand pipe of cross sectional area ‘a’ into the sample of cross sectional
area ‘A’. The time(t1,t2,t3….) is noted when the dropping water level (height)
indicates the readings(h1,h2,h3….)
APPARATUS

a) Standard Compaction Mould

b) Stand with screw
c) Stop watch
d) Burette
e) Soaking tank
f) Meter rule
g) Washing bottle
PROCEDURE
After the sample had been trimmed in the mould, it was weighed and the moisture
content determined. The mould was then mounted into the cage with the gauge on
the top and bottom and the cap screwed down.
The mould was then placed in a soaking tank which was slowly filled with air free
distilled water. The air free water was carefully placed in the tank so that it is not
aerated by agitation as the tank was filled. The vacuum in the sample drew air from
the sample and pulled the air-free water into the sample, thus completely saturating
it. The operation was carried out slowly otherwise the air would be trapped in the
sample. The saturated sample was then connected up through tubing filled with air-
free distilled water to the burette which had also been filled with air-free distilled
water.
At the start of the test,water was allowed to fall through the sample and times
required for the water to pass were recorded. The burette was refilled with water
and the test repeated many times each time being recorded.

RESULTS AND ANALYSIS

Height - 121mm
Diameter – 104mm

Area of the sample – 8498.29mm2

Area of the burette 95mm2

2.306 aL logH 1−logH 2

Formula given: 𝑘 = ¿ A
x
t 2−t 1
cm/sec

a- Cross sectional area of manometer tube

L- Length of the sample being tested
A- cross sectional area of the sample
H1- initial head of water
H2 – head of water indicated at the end of the
experiment - time corresponding to H2 t2 – start
time (sec)

Time in min Head (cm) Log10H

0 96.3 1.98
3 92.8 1.97

log H against Time

1.982

1.98
f(x) = − 0.00333333333333334 x + 1.98
1.978

1.976

1.974
OG H

1.972
 1.97

1.968

1.966

1.964
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5

TIME

THE SLOPE = LOG H1-LOG H2

O.0033 t1 –t2

K=(2.306*12.1*0.95)/84.9 X 0.0033=1.03* 10^-3 CM/SEC

DISCUSSION

The value of permeability coefficient obtained in the experiment was 1.03 * 10 ^-

3CM/SEC. The permeability obtained was slow. The smaller the size of the pore
the lower the permeability The major sources of errors during the experiment
may have been:
• Errors in terms of reading the measurements
• The conditions during testing and the conditions when obtaining the soil
sample varied.
• Some leakages

CONCLUSION
The objective of the experiment was achieved.
The permeability obtained was found to be 3.96 x10-7m/s. We can be able to
classify the soil as silty clays silty sands. This soil is characterized by poor
drainage. We can therefore conclude that the rate of flow in this soil sample is low.

REFENCES

1. Soil mechanics laboratory manual

2. www.iricen.gov.in/lab

2. DETERMINATION OF THE PERMEABILITY OF GRANULAR SOIL:

TENTATIVE STANDARD METHOD USING A CONSTANT HEAD
PERMEAMETER

OBJECTIVE
To determine the coefficient permeability for the laminar saturated of water
through granular soil such as sand and gravel containing not more than 10%
passing the number 200(0.75mm)

INTRODUCTION
This method is based on Darcy’s law which state that the volume of water flowing
through a soil specimen in a certain time, under conditions of constant head, steady
state of flow, full saturation of the soil is directly proportionality between
discharge velocity and hydraulic gradients.
The constant head method is mainly for less cohesive soil. The principle of this
method is based on water from the reservoir. It is allowed to flow through a soil
sample of known cross sectional area ‘A’ at a constant rate. The hydraulic head ‘h’
is measured between two points a distance ‘i’ apart. The water flowing through the
sample is collected in a measuring cylinder to find the quantity of water ‘Q’
passing through the sample during time ‘t’.

According to Darcy’s Law.

𝑣 = 𝑘𝑖
But Q=AV
Discharge velocity=Q(discharge)/A (Area of soil)
𝑄/(𝐴𝑥𝑡) = 𝑘 ´ ℎ/1
𝑄/𝑡 = (𝑘 ´ 𝐴 ´ ℎ)/1
𝑞 = (𝑘 ´ 𝐴/1) ´ ℎ
The discharge velocity is measured as the volume of water passing through the
specimen per unit time divided by the cross-sectional area of soil. The coefficient
of permeability is determined as the slope of the curve representing the discharge
velocity as a function of the gradient.
APPARATUS
 Perspex cylinder with all the connections
 Glass tube manometers
 Clean water and a sink
 De-airing tank and a vacuum pump
 Stop watch, balance and various laboratory item
 Clean gravels and measuring cylinder

PREPARATION FOR TEST

I. Make a sieve analysis of the soil to be tested.
II. Check the parameter connections, sealing gaskets and place the cylinder on
the base and tighten down.
III. Fill the cell with de-aired water and place the bottom part of the filter gravel
under water to a thickness of about 5cm.
IV. Put the soil into the parameter and stir with a rod to settle the soil particles.
The soil level should be about 7cm from the top of the cylinder.
V. Place the upper filter gravel also to a thickness of 5cm and put the top plate
on.
VI. Place the 4kg weight on the loading shelf and measure the height of the
specimen.
VII. Connect the parameter inlet to the constant head tank and top up the
parameter with de-aired water, letting the air escape through the bleeder
valve.
PROCEDURE
1. The de-airing tank under high vacuum was operated until it was filled with de-
aired water.
2. The constant head tank was filled with de-aired water and the vacuum
disconnected. The connection to the constant head tank was opened to let water
overflow from the latter tank.
 3. The permeameter inlet and outlet were opened and the level of the outlet tube
was adjusted to give a mean head loss ( Δh ). The mean temperature was measured
and recorded.
4. The measuring cylinder started to be filled from the permeameter outlet and the
stop watch was started at the same time. When enough water had been collected
the water was stopped, time and volume of the water recorded.
5. The permeameter outlet was lowered to increase ( Δh ) in steps and more readings
were obtained.
RESULTS AND ANALYSIS
Diameter of the cell = 100mm
Manometer outlets L = 315mm
Viscosity= 1.0005 x 10-3 Ns/mg2

WATER
TEM
DISCHARGE ΔH Gradient
P
D H1- H2- Velocity
TIM H1c H2 H3c
Vcm3 ◦
C H2 H3 ΔH/L v=V/at
E m cm m
cm cm (cm/s)

26. 28.1 0.89365079 0.0836623

24.35 160 20 84.3 58 28 30
3 5 4 6
56. 26. 29. 0.89841269 0.0971486
17.3 132 20 83.6 27 28.3
8 8 8 8 9
30. 28.7 0.91269841 0.0900268
19.8 140 20 84 57 26.5 27
5 5 3 3
57. 27. 30. 28.8 0.91587301 0.0844857
21.4 142 20 85.2 27.5
7 5 2 5 6 9
Area of the cell = 7850mm2 = 78.5cm2
Specific gravity = 2.65
 0.1

0.095

0.09
f(x) = − 0.0977465801329711 x + 0.17730708785944
velocity

0.085

0.08

0.075
0.89 0.895 0.9 0.905 0.91 0.915 0.92

gradient
Coefficient of permeability is the slope of the straight line curve.
Therefore the coefficient of permeability, 𝑘 =0.0977 cm/𝑠

Correct permeability of that of 20○C by the formula:

𝐾20 = 𝐾𝑡(𝜁𝑡/𝜁20)
Where kt is the permeability found at the test temperature and ζ20 and ζt are the
respective viscosities of water obtained from the viscosities table.

𝐾20 = 𝐾𝑡(𝜁𝑡/𝜁20)
𝐾20 =9.77𝑥 ( 1.0005 x 10-3 / )
The corrected permeability at 20℃ was calculated to be 9.6 𝑥 10−4𝑚/𝑠

DISCUSSION
The value of permeability coefficient obtained in the experiment was 9.6 x 10 -4m/s.
The permeability obtained was slightly moderate. The greater the size of the pore
the high the higher the permeability
The major sources of errors during the experiment may have been:
• Errors in reading of the measurements
• The conditions during testing and the conditions when obtaining the soil
sample varied.

CONCLUSION
The objective of the experiment was achieved. The permeability obtained was
found to be 9.9x10-4. Using various values we can be able to classify the soil as silt.
This soil is characterized by good drainage. We can therefore conclude that the rate
of flow in this soil sample is moderately high.
REFERENCES
1. Soil Mechanics Laboratory Manual
2. Mechanics of soil and foundations by Atkinson, Basic mechanisms of
consolidation
3. www.user.engineering .edu
3. DETERMINATION OF THE ONE DIMENSIONAL CONSOLIDATION
PROPERTIES

OBJECTIVE
To determine the one dimensional consolidation properties

SCOPE
It covers the determination of the magnitude and rate of the consolidation of a
saturated or near saturated specimen of soil. A disc confined laterally, subjected to
vertical axial pressure and allowed to drain freely from the top and bottom surface.
APPARATUS
The apparatus was the fixed ring type and consisted of:
a. A metal consolidation ring made from high grade stainless steel which
completely and rigidly confined and supported the soil specimen laterally.
The ring provided a cutting edge that facilitated the preparation of the
specimen.
b. Porous plate for placing at the top and bottom surfaces of the test specimen.
Probably made of sintered fused aluminium oxide, sintered bronze or similar
material. They shall be of suitable porosity and compressibility. The
diameter of the porous plate at the top was 0.5mm smaller than the inside
diameter of the consolidation ring so as to permit free compression of the
soil specimen.
c. A consolidation cell of suitable material within which placed the test
specimen assembly consisting of the specimen held within the consolidation
ring and between the top and the bottom porous plates and resting centrally
on the base of the cell.
d. A micrometer dial gauge (compression gauge) supported for measuring the
vertical compression or swelling of the specimen throughout the experiment.
The gauge read
0.002mm and had at least 6mm travel
e. A loading device with a rigid bed for supporting the consolidation cell. It
will enable a vertical force to be applied axially in suitable increments to the
tests specimens through suitable loading yoke. Each increment shall be
maintained constantly by some form of stress control method while
permitting increasing vertical compression on the specimen during the
consolidation test. The force was applied centrally to a loading cap covering
 the top porous plate through some form of spherical seating. The loading
mechanism was capable of applying the force instantaneously and without
impact.

APPARATUS FOR THE PREPARATION AND TESTING OF SPECIMEN

1. A jack and a frame suitable for extruding the soil from the sampling
2. A jig for holding the consolidation ring just above the top of the sampling
tube or direct jacking methods
3. A sharp, thin-bladed trimming knife such as a spatula, palette knife or
scalpel
4. Two wire-saws, one of a fine piano wire and the other a spiral wire-saw.

5. A metal straightedge such as a steel strip about 300 mm long, 25 mm wide

and 3 mm thick with one beveled edge.
6. A flat glass plate (a convenient size is one 10 mm thick and 500mm square.)

7. Means of measuring the height of the test specimen or depth of the

consolidation ring to an accuracy of 0.1mm e.g. Vernier reading calipers,
micrometer screw gauge, or a 25mm travel dial gauge mounted in a
comparator.
8. Apparatus for moisture content determination.

9. Filter papers, e.g. Whatman No. 54 or similar grade, One filter paper to be
placed on top of the test specimen shall have a diameter equal to the inside
diameter of the consolidation ring, one filter paper to be placed at the bottom
of the test specimen shall have a diameter which need not be less than the
outside diameter of the consolidation ring.
10. A timing device readable to 1s.

11. A supply of water at room temperature.

12. Unless the test is performed under constant temperature conditions, a

maximum and minimum thermometer.
13. A watch glass, or metal tray, somewhat larger in diameter than the
consolidation ring
14. Apparatus or specific gravity determination
PROCEDURE
The test specimen was prepared with the given procedure
A short length of the soil sample was extruded form the sample tube by means of
the jack and frame and examined for soil type.
A consolidation ring of suitable dimensions and the watch glass, or metal tray was
cleaned, dried and weighed separately. The ring was then lubricated slightly with
silicone grease. The extruded length of sample was then cut off flush with the end
of the tube using the thin bladed trimming knife, whichever was convenient and
discarded.
For Type A soils the procedure was as follows
A representative sample for testing was extruded and cut off; care being taken to
ensure that the two plane faces of the disc of soil is parallel to each other. The
thickness of the disc of soil was somewhat greater than the height of the
consolidation ring.
When an undisturbed sample was received in the form of an excavated block, a
disc of similar size to the above was cut from the block with two parallel faces,
care being taken to ensure that the soil stratum is orientated in the appropriate
direction in the consolidation apparatus. The laboratory test normally compressed
the soil in the same direction relative to the soil stratum as the applied force in the
field.
Using the consolidation ring as a template the edges of the disc were trimmed
carefully until the ring just slid over the soil, the last fraction of soil was pared
away by the cutting edge of the ring as it is pushed down slowly and evenly over
the sample, with no unnatural voids against the inner face of the ring. The top and
bottom surfaces projected above and below the edges of the ring were trimmed off,
using the thin-bladed trimming knife, until they were level and flush with the top
and bottom edges of the ring. Should an occasion small inclusion interfere with the
trimming operation described, it was removed and the cavity filled completely with
material from the parings, Loss of gain of moisture by the sample was avoided at
all stages. A sample of soil similar to that in the ring was set aside for a specific
gravity test.
The thickness of the consolidation specimen was measured and the specimen it its
ring was placed on the watch glass, and weighed immediately. Had the nature of
the soil made it difficult for satisfactory determination of the specimen thickness is
made, the height of the ring would be accepted.
Alternatively, when the soil was uniform and did not contain stones and sand, a
representative sample for testing may be extruded direct from the sample tube into
the consolidation ring, the ring being supported rigidly by the jig mounted on the
sample tube so that the cutting edge of the consolidation ring was 3 mm to 6 mm
above the top of the tube. The jig was designed to allow the sample to pass through
and project above the consolidation ring. The sample should be trimmed during
this operation to reduce friction against the outside of the consolidation ring. The
sample in its ring was cut off, the top and bottom surfaces trimmed, and the
procedure described previously followed.

For type B soils

A representative sample of suitable quality was extruded directly into a
consolidation ring with a diameter as close as possible to the diameter of the tube
sample, cut off, the top and bottom surfaces trimmed, and the procedure followed
as described above for the type A soils.
Assembly of Apparatus
The bottom porous plate was centered; dry, in the consolidation cell. The ring
complete with the specimen was placed centrally on top of the porous plate with a
filter paper against each face of the specimen. The filter papers may be moist for
the softer, sensitive, normally consolidated soils, but for the stiffer soils, in
particular, the over-consolidated soils, the filter papers should be dry. The top
porous plate and the loading cap were placed centrally on top.
The consolidation cell was then placed in position on the bed of the loading
apparatus and the counterbalanced loading beam adjusted carefully into a level
position with the appropriate load transmitting member in contact with the loading
cap.
The gauge was clamped into position from recording the relative movement
between the bases of the consolidation cell and loading cap. The gauge was
arranged at such a position in its travel as to allow for a small amount of swelling
of the specimen, the remained or the range of travel being taken to allow for
compression.
A reading of the gauge and the time was noted.
Loading sequence.
The loading sequence to be followed was selected from the following range of
pressures (kN/m2)
50, 100, 200, 400
The initial pressure to be applied to the specimen was dependent upon the type of
soil and was large enough to ensure that swelling of the specimen was avoided.
The following was the working guide.
(1)Stiff soils: The initial applied pressure was equivalent to the estimated present
effective overburden pressure. For convenience, that value in the range of
pressures recommended above which nearest to the estimate was used.
(2)Firm Soils: The initial applied pressure was somewhat less than the estimated
present effective overburden pressure and for convenience; an appropriate pressure
from the values recommended above was selected.
(3)Soft soils
The initial applied pressure shall be appreciably less than the estimated present
effective overburden pressure. A pressure as low as 10 Kn/m^2 may be necessary
for the very soft sensitive soils.
The initial pressure, as determined above, shall be applied to the specimen at a
convenient moment(zero seconds) as indicated by the timing device and a reading
of the compression gauge shall be taken. Further readings of the compression
gauge shall be taken at suitable intervals of √time would facilitate the plotting of
the readings are taken at intervals of 0,1/4,1/2,1,2,4,8,15,30 and 60 min, and 2,4,8
and 24 hr after the application of the pressure. The use of a form with equivalent
preprinted values of time would facilitate the plotting of the curve(see note 9). The
consolidation cell shall be filled with water as soon as possible after the application
of the pressure. If this should cause the specimen to swell, the pressure shall be
increased to the next higher value in the range of pressures given above.
If swelling continues the pressure shall be further increased and readings of the
compression gauge again commenced and taken at the time intervals suggested. If
the specimen after the addition of water to the consolidation cell or on the
application of further pressure following swelling, the readings of compression
gauge shall be taken at suitable intervals of time for the remainder of the period
during which the pressure is maintained at that value. The compression gauge
reading shall plotted versus the square root of elapsed times or versus the
logarithmic of elapsed times as the rest progresses (unless an autographic recorder
is used) and the nature of the curve as it becomes defined may be used to
determine the spacing of later readings.
The pressure shall be maintained until the plotted readings indicate that primary
compression has taken place and a period of 24 hours is generally convenient and
adequate (see note 10). Should the compression under the initial pressure virtually
seize within a short time after application, the next higher pressure in the sequence
may be applied. At the end of the 24 hours period, readings of time and
compression shall be made. The daily maximum and minimum temperature of the
room shall be recorded.
An increment of load shall then be applied to increase the pressure on the specimen
to the next stage in the sequence and the procedure followed s previously. The test
shall be performed using an adequate number of stages of loading (not less than 4)
and the maximum pressure on the specimen should be greater than the effective
pressure which will occur in situ due to the overburden and the proposed
construction.

8. Unloading.
On completion of the compression gauge under the maximum applied pressure, the
load shall be removed from the test specimen (see note 11) and the consolidation
cell removed from the apparatus. The mass of the watch glass, or metal tray, shall
be checked. The specimen in its ring shall then be removed from the cell, the filter
papers taken off the specimen, and the whole transferred to the oven on the watch
glass, or metal try.
The specimen shall be dried in the oven to constant mass.
9. Calculations.
The compressibility characteristics: The compressibility characteristics may be
illustrated suitably by plotting the compression of the specimen as ordinate on a
linear scare, and the corresponding applied pressure, p in kN/m2, as observed on a
logarithmic scale.
The compression may be indicated directly by plotting the actual thickness of the
specimen, or as a strain, by plotting the percentage reduction in thickness, or voids
ratio.
The thickness of the specimen, H in mm, shall be calculated for each load
increment by subtracting the compression of the specimen (reduction in thickness)
as recorded by the compression gauge from the initial thickness measurement.
Should the voids ration plot be preferred, a convenient method of calculation is as
follows:
(1) The equivalent height of the solid particles, H 0 in mm, shall be calculated
from the equation.
H0 = ms ×1000
Gs ρ w×A
 Where
ms is the dry mass of specimen (g).
Gs is the specific gravity of the soil particles.
A is the area of the specimen (mm2).
ρ w is the density of water Mg/m3.
(2). The voids ration, e, shall be calculated from the equation:
e = H – H0
H0
Where
H is calculated s above.
The coefficient of volume compressibility, mv in m2 / MN, shall be calculated for a
pressure increment of 100 kN / m2 in excess of the present effective overburden
pressure at the sample depth. It is obtained from the semi logarithmic plot
mentioned above, as follows:
Mv = dH/H ×10.
Where
dH is the change in thickness corresponding to the increment of 100 kN / m2.
H is the thickness of the specimen under the present effective overburden
pressure.

When voids ratio is plotted,

de
Mv = 1+ e x 10
Where

de is the change in voids ratio corresponding to the increment of

100 kN/m2: e0 is the voids ratio under the present effective
overburden pressure.
Where parentage reduction in thickness is plotted, m, may be obtained directly
from the curve. The coefficient of volume compressibility may be calculated
similarly, if required, for any pressure increment.
10. The coefficient of consolidation. Two principal empirical methods are
available for evaluating the coefficient of consolidation. Cv these are the square
root of time and the logarithm of time fitting methods (ace Note 12). Both
methods shall be used unless one method alone has been found to be satisfactory.
(1) Square root of time fitting method (see the figure below) The straight line
which best fits the early portion of the plot between the compression gauge
readings and the square root of elapsed time shall be extended to the ordinate of
zero time, and this intersection shall be considered to be the corrected zero point.
A straight line shall then be drawn through the corrected zero point which at all
points has abscissae 1.15 as great as those of the best fit line previously drawn.
The intersection of this line and the curve drawn through the plotted results shall
be taken as the 90 % primary compression point. Its abscissa. . Shall be read
off from the graph, and the coefficient of consolidation, c, in m/year, computed
from the following equation:
0.111𝐻²
Cv =
𝑡90
T90 where
H is the average thickness for the load increment
(mm): t90 is expressed in minutes.
(2) Logarithm of time fitting method (see Fig. 31 The two straight portions of the
laboratory curve when the compression gauge readings are plotted against the
logarithm of time shall be extended to intersect to give the point of 100 % primary
compression. The corrected zero point shall be located by marking off the
difference in ordinates between any two points on the initial portion of the curve,
which is parabolic, with times in the ratio of I to 4, and laying off an equal distance
above the upper point. The corrected zero point thus obtained shall be checked by
retrials. With the zero and 100 % points known, the 50 primary compression point
shall be located and its time, t50 (min), obtained. The consolidation coefficient, , in
m'/year, shall then be computed from the following equation:

Cv=0.026 H²
11 Temperature corrections. Should the temperature of the soil in situ be known,
a correction shall be applied to the calculated values for the coefficient of
consolidation. The correct value for the coefficient of consolidation shall be
obtained by multiplying the calculated value of the coefficient by the appropriate
factor in Fiq.
Fiq.4 Correction factor for coefficient of consolidation
12 The compression ratios. The initial compression ratio, ro, the primary
compression ratio, rp , and the secondary compression ratio, rs, , shall be calculated
from the following equations:
 where,

ds is the corrected zero points;

d90 is the compression gauge reading at 90% primary compression by square

root fitting method;

d100 is the compression gauge reading at 100% primary compression by log

fitting method;

df is the final compression gauge reading,

13 Reporting of results. The result shall be reported as the plot between

compression (or strain) or voids ratio and the logarithm of the applied pressure.
Individual values of the coefficient of volume compressibility, shall be reported if
required to two significant figures. The compression ratios, and the coefficient of
consolidation, e, in m/year, shall be reported with each plotted Time-compression
curve. The average between the maximum and minimum recorded temperatures
shall be stated in each instance. Alliteratively, the compression ratios, and
coefficients shall be related to each pressure increment in the form of a table and
the fitting method used shall be reported. Values of the coefficient of consolidation
shall be reported to two significant figures. Complete identification of sample and
physical properties, eg. Bulk density, moisture content and relative - density shall
be reported. Remarks on the condition and quality of the sample shall be given, eg.
Attention should be

RESULTS AND ANALYSIS

Dial Gauge Factor – 0.01mm/div
Weight of ring – 71.5
Weight of ring + specimen at beginning of test – 182.1
Weight of ring + specimen at end of test – 166.3
Weight of the ring-112.9
Specific Gravity of soil- 2.65

PRESSURE = 50kN/m2 PRESSURE =100kN/m2

DATE TIME √T CLOCK DATE TIME √T CLOCK
& IN DIAL & IN MIN DIAL
TIME MIN TIME
0.0 0 2400 0.0 0 2369
0.25 0.5 2394 0.25 0.5 2332.5
1.00 1.0 2390 1.00 1.0 2328
2.25 1.5 2387.5 2.25 1.5 2326
4.00 2.0 2383 4.00 2.0 2325
6.25 2.5 2379.5 6.25 2.5 2324.5
9.00 3.0 2377 9.00 3.0 2324
12.25 3.5 2375 12.25 3.5 2324
16.00 4.0 2374 16.00 4.0 2324
20.25 4.5 2373 20.25 4.5 2324
25 5 2373.5 25 5 2323.5
36 6 2372.5 36 6 2323.5
49 7 2372 49 7 2323.5
64 8 2371 64 8 2323
81 9 2370 81 9 2323
100 10 2369 100 10 2322.5
 PRESSURE = 200kN/m2 flooded PRESSURE =400Kn/m2
DATE TIME √ T CLOCK DATE TIME √T CLOCK
& IN DIAL & IN DIAL
TIME MIN TIME MIN
0.0 0 2322.5 0.0 0 2213
0.25 0.5 2227.5 0.25 0.5 2108
1.00 1.0 2222 1.00 1.0 2106
2.25 1.5 2220 2.25 1.5 2104
4.00 2.0 2218 4.00 2.0 2103
6.25 2.5 2217 6.25 2.5 2102
9.00 3.0 2216 9.00 3.0 2101
12.25 3.5 2215.5 12.25 3.5 2100.5
16.00 4.0 2215 16.00 4.0 2100.5
20.25 4.5 2215 20.25 4.5 2100.0
25 5 2215 25 5 2100
36 6 2214.5 36 6 2099.5
49 7 2214.5 49 7 2099.5
64 8 2214 64 8 2099
81 9 2213.5 81 9 2098.5
100 10 2213 100 10 2098

CALCULATION OF COEFFICIENTS OF CONSOLIDATION AND

COMPRESSION

RATIOS
PRESSURE RANGE (kN/m²) 50 100 100(flooded) 200 400
INITIAL COMP 𝒅𝟎 23.0 21.99 21.24 21.19 20.40
GAUGE READING
FINAL COMP. GAUGE 𝒅𝒇 21.99 21.24 21.19 20.40 19.37
READING
THICKNESS OF H1 19.00 17.99 17.24 17.19 16.16
SPECCIMEN
BEFORE INCREMENT
IS APPLIED
CHANGE IN ∆H 1.01 0.75 0.05 0.079 1.03
THICKNESS OF
SPECIMEN
FINAL THICKNESS H𝑓 17.99 17.24 17.19 16.16 15.13
OF
SPECIMEN(𝑯𝟏 − ∆𝑯)
AVERAGE H̅ 18.495 17.615 17.215 16.675 15.645
THICKNESS OF THE
SPECIMEN (𝐇𝟏 + 𝐇𝒇)/𝟐
CORRECTED 𝒅𝒔 22.63 21.43 21.23 20.61 17.86
INITIAL
COMP. GAUGE
READING
COMP. GAUGE 𝒅𝟗𝟎 22.04 21.31 21.21 20.45 17.40
READING
AT 90%
CONSOLIDATION
FITTING METHOD

EQUIVALENT 𝒕𝟗𝟎 33.64 20.25 49 27.04 43.56

TIME FOR
𝒅𝟗𝟎FROM
CURVE
COEFFICIENT OF 𝐶𝑣 1.13 1.70 0.69 1.16 0.64
CONSOLIDATION
(𝟎.
𝒕
√

𝟏𝟏𝟏𝐇̅𝟐/𝐭𝟗𝟎)𝐦²/𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫
 (𝒅𝟎 − 𝒅𝒔) A 0.37 0.56 0.01 0.58 2.54

𝟏𝟎(𝒅𝒔 − 𝒅𝟗𝟎)/𝟗 B 0.41 0.13 0.022 0.178 0.51

INITIAL COMP. 𝑟𝑜 0.37 0.75 0.2 0.73 2.47
RATIO
(∆/∆𝐇)
PRIMARY 𝑟𝑏 0.41 0.17 0.44 0.23 0.50
COMP. RATIO
(𝐁/∆𝐇)
SECONDARY 𝑟𝑠 0.22 0.42 0.36 0.04 -1.97
COMP. RATIO
𝟏 − (𝒓𝟎/𝐫𝐛)

2320 Dial Gauge Reading Against Sqrt of Time 50kN/m2

2300

2280

2260

2240

2220

2200

2180

2160
y = -11.74x + 2262.7
2140
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
 2220 Dial Gauge Reading Against Sqrt of
2200
Time 100kN/m2
2180

2160

2140

2120

2100 y = -3.3x + 2143.4

2080
-2 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
 Dial Gauge Reading Against Sqrt of
Time 400kN/m2
2100
2050
2000
1950
1900
1850
1800
1750
1700 y = -7.1429x + 1785.8

1650
0 2 4 6 8 10 12

Weight of dry soil = 123.6g

Weight of wet soil = 152.1g
Weight of water = 28.5g

Moisture content = 𝑥 100 = 23.1%

Specific gravity = 2.6

Equivalent height, HO = 𝑚 𝑠 𝑥 1000

𝐺𝑠𝜌𝑤𝑥 𝐴
123.6×1000
𝐻𝑂 = 2 .6×1×4537 = 10.5 mm

Void ratio e = 𝐻 −𝐻𝑂

𝐻𝑂

or 50 kN/m2

𝑒= = 0.81
For 100 kN/m2
 𝑒= = 0.71
For 100 kN/m2 Flooded

𝑒= = 0.64

For 200 kN/m2

𝑒= = 0.64

For 400 kN/m2

𝑒= = 0.57

void ratio against log applied stress

0.68

0.66
void ratio
0.64

0.62

0.6

0.58

0.56
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
log applied pressure

∆𝑒
CV = 𝜎′+∆𝜎′
𝑙𝑜𝑔
𝜎′
 CV = = 0.112
Coefficient of volume change = ∆𝑒
𝑥
10
1+𝑒𝑜
Mv = 0 .66−0.604 𝑥 10 = 0.34
1+0.66

DISCUSSION
The possible sources of errors may have included

• Friction in the moving parts of the odometer

• Error during reading of the measurements
CONCLUSION
The experiment was a success. The rate of consolidation was determined and the
various void ratios calculated
REFERENCES

1. V. N. S. Murthy. Geotechnical Engineering: principles and practices of

soil mechanics and foundation engineering; Compressibility and
consolidation
2. Soil mechanics laboratory manual