is les

k
-v ing
ca

Time Rate of
Consolidation
The time for consolidation to occur can be
predicted. Sometimes consolidation can take
years. This is especially true in saturated
clays because their hydraulic conductivity is
extremely low, and this causes the water to
take an exceptionally long time to drain out of
the soil. While drainage is occurring, the pore
water pressure is greater than normal
because it is carrying part of the applied
stress (as opposed to the soil particles).

is les
k
-v ing
ca

Time Rate of Consolidation

Equation
Tv =

Cv t
H2dr

Where:
Hdr average height of specimen during consolidation
for specimens drained only on one side
Hdr one half the average height of specimen during
consolidation if the specimen is drained at both top and bottom
Tv time factor
Cv Coefficient of consolidation

is les
k
-v ing
ca

Coefficient of
Compressibility
e 2 e1
P 1 P2

av =

Coefficient of Volume
Compressibility
Mv =

eave

e 1 - e2
(1 + eave)(P2 P1)

e1 + e 2
=
2

Where:
e1 initial void
ratio
e2 final void
ratio

is les
k
-v ing
ca

Hydraulic
Conductivity
K = Cv Mv Yw
Where:
K hydraulic Conducivity
Mv Coefficient of volume
compressibility
Yw unit weight of water

Coefficient of Volume
Compressibility
u12
t1
=
t2
u22
Where:
t1 time to reach u1% consolidation
t2 time to reach u2% consolidation

is les
k
-v ing
ca

SAMPLE PROBLEMS

is les
k
-v ing
ca

SAMPLE PROBLEMS