Experiment 11-Consolidation
Experiment 11-Consolidation
Experiment 11-Consolidation
EXPERIMENT 11
CONSOLIDATION
TEST
Purpose:
This test is performed to determine the magnitude and rate of volume
decrease that a laterally confined soil specimen undergoes when subjected to
different vertical pressures. From the measured data, the consolidation curve
(pressure-void ratio relationship) can be plotted. This data is useful in determining
the compression index, the recompression index and the preconsolidation pressure
(or maximum past pressure) of the soi. In addition, the data obtained can also be
used to determine the coefficient of consolidation and the coefficient of secondary
compression of the soil.
Standard Reference:
ASTM D 2435 - Standard Test Method for One-Dimensional Consolidation
Properties of Soils.
Significance:
The consolidation properties determined from the consolidation test are used
to estimate the magnitude and the rate of both primary and secondary consolidation
settlement of a structure or an earthfill. Estimates of this type are of key importance
in the design of engineered structures and the evaluation of their performance.
Equipment:
Consolidation device (including ring, porous stones, water reservoir, and load plate),
Dial gauge (0.0001 inch = 1.0 on dial), Sample trimming device, glass plate, Metal
Test Procedure:
(1) Weigh the empty consolidation ring together with glass plate.
(2) Measure the height (h) of the ring and its inside diameter (d).
(3) Extrude the soil sample from the sampler, generally thin-walled Shelby tube.
Determine the initial moisture content and the specific gravity of the soil as
per Experiments 1 and 4, respectively (Use the data sheets from these
experiments to record all of the data).
(4) Cut approximately a three-inch long sample. Place the sample on the
consolidation ring and cut the sides of the sample to be approximately the
same as the outside diameter of the ring. Rotate the ring and pare off the
excess soil by means of the cutting tool so that the sample is reduced to the
same inside diameter of the ring. It is important to keep the cutting tool in
the correct horizontal position during this process.
(5) As the trimming progresses, press the sample gently into the ring and
continue until the sample protrudes a short distance through the bottom of
the ring. Be careful throughout the trimming process to insure that there is
no void space between the sample and the ring.
(6) Turn the ring over carefully and remove the portion of the soil protruding
above the ring. Using the metal straight edge, cut the soil surface flush
with the surface of the ring. Remove the final portion with extreme care.
(7) Place the previously weighed Saran-covered glass plate on the freshly cut
surface, turn the ring over again, and carefully cut the other end in a similar
manner.
(9) Carefully remove the ring with specimen from the Saran-covered glass plate
and peel the Saran from the specimen surface. Center the porous stones that
have been soaking, on the top and bottom surfaces of the test specimen.
Place the filter papers between porous stones and soil specimen. Press very
lightly to make sure that the stones adhere to the sample. Lower the
assembly carefully into the base of the water reservoir. Fill the water
reservoir with water until the specimen is completely covered and saturated.
(10) Being careful to prevent movement of the ring and porous stones, place the
load plate centrally on the upper porous stone and adjust the loading device.
(12) With the toggle switch in the down (closed) position, set the pressure gauge
dial (based on calibration curve) to result in an applied pressure of 0.5 tsf
(tons per square foot).
(13) Simultaneously, open the valve (by quickly lifting the toggle switch to the
up (open) position) and start the timing clock.
(14) Record the consolidation dial readings at the elapsed times given on the
data sheet.
(16) At the last elapsed time reading, record the final consolidation dial reading
and time, release the load, and quickly disassemble the consolidation
device and remove the specimen. Quickly but carefully blot the surfaces
dry with paper toweling. (The specimen will tend to absorb water after
the load is released.)
(17) Place the specimen and ring on the Saran-covered glass plate and, once
again, weigh them together.
(19) Carefully remove the specimen from the consolidation ring, being sure not
to lose too much soil, and place the specimen in the previously weighed
moisture can. Place the moisture can containing the specimen in the oven
and let it dry for 12 to 18 hours.
Analysis:
(1) Calculate the initial water content and specific gravity of the soil.
(2) For each pressure increment, construct a semilog plot of the consolidation
dial readings versus the log time (in minutes). Determine D0, D50, D100, and
the coefficient of consolidation (cv) using Casagrande’s logarithm of time
fitting method. See example data. Also calculate the coefficient of
secondary compression based on these plots.
(3) Calculate the void ratio at the end of primary consolidation for each
pressure increment (see example data). Plot log pressure versus void ratio.
Based on this plot, calculate compression index, recompression index and
preconsolidation pressure (maximum past pressure).
EXAMPLE DATA
Consolidation Test
Data Sheets
Before test
After test
Calculations
H i Hs 2.7 1.792
Void ratio before test, eo = = 0.506
Hs 1.792
H f Hs 2.443 -
Void ratio after test, ef = = 0.3617
Hs 1.792
1.792
100
2.7
1.79
2
=102.7
%
loading=1/2 tsf loading=1 tsf (reloading) loading=2 tsf (reloading) loading=4 tsf (reloading)
(unloading) time dail reading time dail reading time dail reading
time dail reading
0 470.5 0 440.5 0 442.4 0 446.5
0.06 469.5 0.1 440.7 0.1 442.9 0.1 446.5
0.5 466 0.25 441 0.25 443.4 0.25 446.6
1 464.5 0.5 441.2 0.5 444.4 0.5 449.5
2 461.5 1 441.5 1 445.1 1 456.5
4 458.5 2 441.6 2 445.3 2 465.5
8 454 4 441.8 4 445.4 4 473.5
15 450.5 8 442 8 445.9 8 481
30 447 15 442.1 15 446.3 17 485.5
60 444.5 30 442.4 30 446.4 30 488
110 443.5 60 442.4 60 446.5 108 490.5
930 440.5
120 442.4 120 446.5 947 500
40
Dail Reading (x 0.0001
60
100
120
140
D100 = 159
160
180
0.01
0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000
Time (min)
170
180
190
200
Dail Reading (x 0.0001
220
230
240
250
260
0.01
0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000
Time (min)
240
250
260
Dail Reading (x 0.0001
270
t50 = 30 min
280 H = 0.0048 in
290
300
310
320
0.01
0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000
Time (min)
300
320
340
360
Dail Reading (x 0.0001
420
440
460
480
500
520
0. 0 1 10 1 10 100
Time
497
496.5
496
495.5
Dail Reading (x 0.0001
495
494.5
H = 0.00035 in t50 = 1.9 min
494
493.5
493
492.5
492
0.01
0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000
Time (min)
495
490
485
Dail Reading (x 0.0001
480
475
470
465
0. 0 1 10 1 10 100
Time
480
475
470
465
Dail Reading (x 0.0001
460
H = 0.0029 in t50 = 6.0 min
455
450
445
440
435
430
0.01
0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000
Time (min)
440
440.5
441
Dail Reading (x 0.0001
442
442.5
443
0. 0 1 10 1 10 100
Time
442
443
444
Dail Reading (x 0.0001
446
447
448
0.01
0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000
Time (min)
445
455
H = 0.0043 in
475
485
495
505
0. 0 1 10 1 10 100
Time
500
520
540
Dail Reading (x 0.0001
560
t50 = 3.0 min
H = 0.0143 in
580
600
620
640
660
0.01
0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000
Time (min)
650
670
690
710
730
Dail Reading (x 0.0001
H = 0.02 in
750 t50 = 2.0 min
770
790
810
830
850
870
850
870
890
910
930
t50 = 3.0 min
Dail Reading (x 0.0001
950
H = 0.0192 in
970
990
1010
1030
1050
1070
1090
Pc=3.5 tsf
0.49
0.47
0.45
Cr=0.013
0.43
Void
0.41
Cc=0.11
0.39
0.37
0.35
0.1 1 10 100
Pressure (tsf)
Final Results:
Consolidation Test
Data Sheets
Date Tested:
Tested By:
Project Name:
Sample Number:
Sample Description:
Before test
Consolidation type =
Mass of the ring + glass plate =
Inside diameter of the ring =
Height of specimen, Hi =
Area of specimen, A =
Mass of specimen + ring =
Initial moisture content of specimen, wi (%) =
Specific gravity of solids, Gs =
After test
Calculations
Height of solids, Hs = Ms
A Gs w =
(same before and after test and note w = 1 g/cm3)
H wi
Degree of saturation before test, Si = =
Hi Hs
Conversion: 0.0001 inch = 1.0 on dial reading (confirm this before using)
*
H for applied pressure = H of all previous pressures + H under applied pressure
H
j H j
** H and H H H (- for Loading and + for Unloading)
dj 4 j i j1
2
2
Hd , Hv
*** C v 0.197
t
50
Hv i
H Hs H and e
Hs