Faculty of Civil Engineering and Built Environment

LAB REPORT CONSOLIDATION TEST

COURSE CODE BFC 31901

COURSE GEOTECHNIC AND STRUCTURE LABORATORY

STUDENT NAME 1. SELINA DEMUN ANAK JAMES

( CF200262 )
2. SITI FATIMAH BINTI MOHAMED
MUKAINUDIN ( CF200161 )
3. SARA SHAEIDA BINTI SHARUDIN
( CF200099 )
4. NURHANA SYAHIRA BINTI AZMAN
( DF200148 )
5. NUR SHAHIDA SHAHMI BINTI HAZLAN
( DF200047)

SECTION 11

GROUP 4

LECTURER Dr. Zaihasra Binti Abu Talib

SEMESTER/SESSION 1 2022/2023

SUBMISSION DATE 9 NOVEMBER 2022

MARKS
 STUDENT CODE OF ETHIC
(SCE)
DEPARTMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND GEOMATIC ENGINEERING

FACULTY OF CIVIL & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

I, hereby confess that I have prepared this report on my own effort. I also admit not
to receive or give any help during the preparation of this report and pledge
that everything mentioned in the report is true.

fu
_________________
Student Signature
.

Sara Shaeida
Name : …………………………………………
CF 200099
Matric No. : …………………………………………
-8 / 11 1 2022
Date : …………………………………………
 STUDENT CODE OF ETHIC
(SCE)
DEPARTMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND GEOMATIC ENGINEERING

FACULTY OF CIVIL & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

I, hereby confess that I have prepared this report on my own effort. I also admit not
to receive or give any help during the preparation of this report and pledge
that everything mentioned in the report is true.

_________________
Student Signature

Selina James
Name : …………………………………………
Cfto 262
Matric No. : …………………………………………

Date / 81 11
: …………………………………………
22
 STUDENT CODE OF ETHIC
(SCE)
DEPARTMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND GEOMATIC ENGINEERING

FACULTY OF CIVIL & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

I, hereby confess that I have prepared this report on my own effort. I also admit not
to receive or give any help during the preparation of this report and pledge
that everything mentioned in the report is true.

afiimak
_________________
.

Student Signature

Siti Fatimah
Name : …………………………………………
C 1=200161
Matric No. : …………………………………………

Date
8 / 11
: …………………………………………
1 22
 STUDENT CODE OF ETHIC
(SCE)
DEPARTMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND GEOMATIC ENGINEERING

FACULTY OF CIVIL & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

I, hereby confess that I have prepared this report on my own effort. I also admit not
to receive or give any help during the preparation of this report and pledge
that everything mentioned in the report is true.

_________________
Student Signature

Nur Shahi da Shahani

Name : …………………………………………
DF 200047
Matric No. : …………………………………………

Date
8/11/22
: …………………………………………
 STUDENT CODE OF ETHIC
(SCE)
DEPARTMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND GEOMATIC ENGINEERING

FACULTY OF CIVIL & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

I, hereby confess that I have prepared this report on my own effort. I also admit not
to receive or give any help during the preparation of this report and pledge
that everything mentioned in the report is true.

_________________
Student Signature

Nuv Haha gahiva

Name : …………………………………………
DF 200148
Matric No. : …………………………………………
8/11/2022
Date : …………………………………………
1.0 INTRODUCTION

Consolidation test used to determine the rate of soil consolidation when the soil is restrained
laterally and loaded axially. The consolidation test is also referred to as the standard Oedometer
test or one – dimensional compression test. This test was carried out on saturated soil specimens,
especially in cohesive soils. The consolidation parameters obtained by this test are used to
determine the consolidation settlement and time of consolidation for a given loading state. These
parameters are also used in the design of ground improvement measures, provided for
construction of embankments on soft soils.

2.0 OBJECTIVE
To determine the consolidation characteristics of solids of low permeability

3.0 THEORY
When a fully saturated soil is subjected to a compressive stress, its volume tends to decrease. The
decreasing of its volume is due to compression of the solid grains and escape of water from the
voids. In a free drainage soil such as saturated sand the escape of water can take place rapidly.
But in clay, due to low permeability, the movement of water occurs very much slowly and
therefore, considerable time may be required for excess water to be squeezed out to permeable
boundaries.

Settlement is the direct result of the decrease in soil volume and consolidation is the rate of
volume decrease with time. The consolidation test is use to estimate the amount of settlement
and time of consolidation. From this test some consolidation parameters such as coefficient of
consolidation (cv), coefficient of volume compressibility (mv), compression index (Cc),
preconsolidation pressure (Pc) can be determined.

There are two methods for determining the coefficient of consolidation:

​ (i) Casagrande or log (time) or 50% consolidation

​ (ii) Taylor or √ time or 90% consolidation
The coefficient of consolidation can be determined by this equation,

𝑇𝑣𝐻2
𝑐𝑣 = 𝑡

Where, cv = coefficient of consolidation (m2/year) Tv = Time factor

H = Maximum length of drainage path (m)

t = Time to achieve 50% or 90% consolidation (year or minute)

4.0 TEST EQUIPMENT

Apparatus Picture of Apparatus

1. Consolidation apparatus

· Consolidation ring

· Corrosion – resistant

porousplate
· Consolidation cell

· Dial gauge

· Loading device

2. Balance readable to 0.1g

3. Vernier caliper

4. Stop – clock readable to 1s

5.0 PROCEDURES
1. Measure the internal diameter (D) and the height of the ring, using internal vernier
calipers.
2. Weight the ring to the nearest 0.01g (MR).

3. Cutting the specimen and trimming into ring.

4. Determine the initial moisture content from trimming soil.

5. Determine the weight of ring and specimen (m1).

6. Determine the mass of bulk specimen (m) to the nearest 0.01g using this equation.

M = m1 - mR

7. Place the consolidation ring and specimen (cutting edge uppermost) centrally on the
porous disc.
8. Fit the ring retainer and cell body and then place the upper porous disc centrally on top
of the specimen.

9. Place the consolidation cell centrally in position on the platform of the machine base.
10. Lift the end of the beam to allow the loading yoke to be raised to the vertical position and
adjust the loading stem by screwing it downwards until the end engages closely in the recess on
the top of the loading cap.

11. Attach the compression dial gauge to the arm on the support post.

12. Add weight (1.5kg) carefully to the load hanger.

13. Add water at room temperature to the cell and make sure that the specimen and upper
porous disc are completely submerged.

14. Wind down the beam support and at the same time start the clock.

15. Observe the compression gauge readings and the clock, and record the readings on a
consolidation test from the selected time intervals.
16. Plot the readings of the compression against time to a logarithmic scale and against square
– root – time.
​
6.0 DATA AND ANALYSIS

Date started: 2/11/22 Sample No.: A1-1

Soil type: Silty clay Cell No: 4

BEFORE TEST

Moisture content from trimming: % S.G. (Assumed): 2.7

Weight of ring: 319.25 g
Weight of sample + ring: 482.03 g
Weight of sample: 162.78 g
Weight of dry sample: 139.45 g
Weight of initial moisture: 23.33 g
Initial moisture content: 16.73%
#
Initial void ratio, %$ − 1 = 890.089
&
Diameter of ring: 54.77 mm
Area of ring: 2356.0 mm²
Thickness of ring: 19.54 mm
Volume of ring: 46036.25 mm³
Density, 𝜌: 0.00354 g/mm³
Dry density, 𝜌" : 0.00303 g/mm³

Elapse time Cumulative

Time Gauge
√𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 Clock time compression,
hr min sec (min) reading
∆𝐻 (𝑚𝑚)
0 0 0 2.30 p.m. 0 0
10 0.17 0.41 2.30 p.m. 0.209 0.209
20 0.33 0.57 2.30 p.m. 0.824 1.033
30 0.50 0.71 2.30 p.m. 0.993 2.026
40 0.67 0.82 2.30 p.m. 1.076 3.102
50 0.83 0.91 2.30 p.m. 1.146 4.248
1 1 1.00 2.31 p.m. 1.212 5.460
2 2 1.41 2.32 p.m. 1.580 7.040
4 4 2.00 2.34 p.m. 2.160 9.200
8 8 2.83 2.38 p.m. 2.928 12.128
15 15 3.87 2.45 p.m. 3.492 15.620
30 30 5.48 3.00 p.m. 3.675 19.295
1 60 7.75 3.30 p.m. 3.703 22.998
7.0 Calculation:

Weight of sample = (weight of sample + ring) – weight of ring

= 482.03 g - 319.25 g
= 162.78 g

Weight of initial moisture = weight of sample – weight of dry sample

= 162.78 g - 139.45 g
= 23.33 g

Initial moisture contents = weight of initial moisture/weight of dry sample

= 23.33 g / 139.45 g
= 0.167×100%
= 16.73%

45²
Area of ring = 7
4(87.::)²
= 7

= 2356 mm²

Volume of ring = Area of ring × Thickness of ring

= 2356 mm² × 19.54 mm
= 46036.25 mm³

;<=>?@ AB CDEFG<
Density, 𝜌 = HAGIE< AB J=K>
LMN.:O P
= 7MQRM.N8 EE³

= 0.00354 g/mm³
 ;<=>?@ AB "JU CDEFG<
Dry density, 𝜌𝑑 = HAGIE< AB J=K>
LRV.78 >
= 7MQRM.N8 EE³

= 0.00303 g/mm³

#
Initial void ratio = %$ − 1
&

N.:
= Q.QQRQR − 1

= 890.089
8.0 DISCUSSION

A consolidation test is used to determine the rate and magnitude of soil consolidation when the
soil is restrained laterally and loaded axially. Based on the results, the provided data can be
utilized to determine the consolidation characteristics of flow permeability soils. From the result,
the moisture level of the sample silty clay soil is 16.73%. There are a few factors in this
experiment that affect consolidation, including the thickness of the clay layer. If the thickness is
greater, self-overburden pressure will cause the layer to consolidate more quickly. The next
factor is the coefficient of permeability. If the soil has a higher coefficient of permeability, water
will flow out of the soil pores more readily, increasing consolidation. Additionally, because the
time factor (Tv) and the coefficient of consolidation (Cv) are directly proportional, the time
factor has an impact on consolidation as well. If the time factor (Tv) is higher, consolidation will
be higher.
9.0 CONCLUSION
In conclusion, soil consolidation is a process to reduce the volume by removing the water
under the static loads. The stress occurs when the soil particles are moved tightly by reducing the
bulk volume. When this soil is saturated with the water, it will squeeze the water out from the
soil. From this experiment, we get to know the characteristics of soils in flow permeability.
10. QUESTION
1a)
1b)
2a)
2b)