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Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering

CA 3687 Soil Mechanics
Laboratory Report
Experiment 6 : Oedometer Test (1D Consolidation Test)



Programme : Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Civil and Structural Engineering
Group : 8
Date Submitted : 21/03/2014
Members : Au Yuk Kit (53307091)
Chan Chun Tong Tony (53238775)
Wong Po Ying (53420604)







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CONTENT

Page

1 INTRODUCTION 3

2 OBJECTIVE 3

3 THEORY 3

4 APPARATUS 6

5 TESTING PROCEDURES 7

7 RESULT AND CALCULATION 13

8 DISCUSSION 17

9 CONCLUSION 19

10 REFERENCES 20

















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INTRODUCTION
The standard oedometer consolidation test for saturated clays is carried out by
applying a sequence of vertical loads to a laterally confined specimen having a height
of about one quarter of its diameter. The vertical compression displacement under the
vertical load is observed over a period of time, usually up to 24 hours. Since no lateral
deformation is in this test, one-dimensional consolidation parameters can be derived.
OBJECTIVE
To determine consolidation characteristics (coefficient of volume compressibility, m
v
,
and coefficient of consolidation, c
v
) of soils with low permeability.
THEORY
The one-dimensional consolidation test procedure was first suggested by Terzaghi.
The test is performed in an oedometer.
The soil sample is placed inside a metal ring with two porous stones each at the top
and the bottom of the sample. The samples are usually 63.5mm in diameter and
25.4mm thick. Load is applied on the sample through a lever arm and compression is
measured by a micrometer dial gauge. The sample is kept underwater during the test.
Usually each load is kept for 24 hours.
After that, conventionally, the load is doubled, thus doubling the pressure on the
sample, while measurement of the compression continues. At the end of the test, the
dry weight of the test sample is determined.
The general shape of the plot of deformation of the sample versus time for a given
load increment is shown in Figure 1. The plot shows three distinct stages that may be
described as follows:
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Figure 1. : Time-deformation Plot During Consolidation for Given Load
Increment (Source: Das 1979)

The general shape of the plot of deformation of the sample versus time for a given
load increment is shown in Figure 1. The plot shows three distinct stages that may be
described as follows:
Stage I: Initial compression, which is mostly due to preloading.
Stage II: Primary consolidation during which, due to expulsion of pore water pressure,
is gradually transferred into effective stress.
Stage III: Secondary consolidation after complete dissipation of excess pore water
pressure - some deformation of the sample is caused by plastic readjustment
of soil fabric.
The aim of the consolidation test is to determine two important consolidation
parameters for the clay sample:

Figure 2 .: Clay Sample
1. The coefficient of volume compressibility, m
v
(in m
2
/ MN) is given by the
formula
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Where
H
1
is the height of the specimen at the beginning of the stage (in mm).
H
2
is the height of the specimen at the end (in mm).
p
1
is the pressure applied to the specimen for the previous loading stage (in
kPa).
p
2
is the pressure applied to the specimen for the considered loading stage (in
kPa).
2. The coefficient of consolidation, c
v
(in m
2
/year).
The coefficient of consolidation, c
v
, may be determined by finding the time required
for
90% consolidation of the sample (U = 0.9).
For the case in the oedometer test which is the condition of double drainage:
When U =0.9
T
v
=0.848
Since

90

90

0.848
2

90

0.848

1000

2
604365.5

90

0.446
2

90

0.

90

Where
T
v
is time factor
t is time elapsed since the start of the consolidation (in min.)
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h is length of the drainage path (in mm)
H is the thickness of the clay sample at time t (in mm)
c
v
is the coefficient of consolidation (m
2
/year).
H

is the average specimen thickness for the load increments (in mm)

1
+
2

In the standard oedometer consolidation test with double drainage the height H of the
specimen is equal to 2h.

APPARATUS

Testing Specimen


Oven Machine
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Vernier Calipers

Stop Watch, Palette Knife, Filter Paper

PROCEDURES
1. PREPARATION OF THE SAMPLE

a. The consolidation ring and steel plate were weighed separately to an
accuracy of 0.1 g
b. The height of the ring was measured to 0.05 mm at four equally spaced
points using the Vernier Caliper.
The average height was the initial height of the clay sample.
c. The internal diameter of the ring was measured 0.1 mm in two
perpendicular directions using the Vernier Caliper.
The mean diameter and the area were calculated to mm
2
.
d. Two pieces of filter papers were cut to fit the internal and external
diameter of the cutting ring.
e. Inside of the ring was lubricated with a thin smear of silicone grease or
petroleum jelly.
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f. A small amount of soil was extruded from the compaction mold using the
hydraulic jack.
g. The cutting ring, with the beveled sharp cutting edge downwards, was
pressed into the soil until the upper most rim of the ring was just below
the soil surface.
h. More soil was extruded so that the bottom of the ring was well clear of the
edge of the mould.
i. The excess soil on the top of the ring was trimmed off with the palette
knife.
j. The soil below the base of the consolidation cutting ring was cut off with
the spatula.
k. The steel plate was placed on the top surface and the specimen was gently
slid clear with the assist of a palate.

l. The ring containing soil sample was inverted and the upper surface of the
clay was trimmed off and leveled with the edge of the consolidation
cutting ring with the spatulas.
m. Voids were carefully filled with pieces of clay without compressing the
sample.
n. The steel plate, ring and the sample were weighed together to the nearest
0.1 gram.

2. PREPARATION AND ASSEMBLY OF CONSOLIDATION APPARATUS

a. A wet filter paper was put onto the porous disc at the base of the
consolidation cell.
The ring, containing the sample, was placed on the wet filter paper with
the beveled cutting edge facing upwards.
b. The top of the sample was covered with the second wet filter paper.
The collar of the consolidation cell was secured to the base by retaining
screws.
The consolidation ring and sample were held firmly together.
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c. The top porous stone and loading plate were placed on the top of the filter
paper.


3. ASSEMBLY IN LOAD FRAME

a. The consolidation cell was placed in position on the cell platform of the
oedometer.
b. The loading yoke of the oedometer was connected with the top platen of
the consolidation cell.
The counter balance weight of the beam was adjusted so that the beam
was slightly above the horizontal position.

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c. A very small positive downward load was given to the sample in the
consolidation ring by placing a 100g weight on the top pan of the weight
hanger.(seating load)
d. The beam ratio was set to 9:1.
e. The consolidation cell was filled with water at room temperature.
f. The compression dial gauge was clamped in position. Space was allowed
for swelling as well as compression of the sample. The initial dial gauge
reading was recorded.
g. The beam support jack was screwed up so that the beam is held fixed.


4. TESTING STEPS

A loading sequence is normally adopted in the consolidation test to give a
range of compression stresses suitable for the soil type and also for the
effective pressure which will occur in situ due to the overburden and the
proposed construction. The initial pressure should be large enough to ensure
that the sample in the consolidation cell does not swell.
A loading sequence of stages selected from the following range of pressures is
considered appropriate (see BS 1377, 1990, Part 5, p. 5 section 3.5.1.): 6, 12,
25, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 kPa. But the test is just done by using 100
kPa loading pressures only due to time limitation.
A typical test comprises four to six increments of loading, each held constant
for 24 hours and each applied stress being double that of the previous stage.
Unloading decrements are usually half the number of loading increments. For
the test, it is the fact that one increment is used only due to time limitation.
The stage consolidation test performed was for a stress of 100 kPa.
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a. The value of mass(in kg) needed on the weight hanger pan to produce
100kPa stress on the specimen (
vc
) was determined as follow:

Where
vc
is the vertical stress applied to the specimen (kPa).

m is the mass or equivalent mass, supported by the specimen
(kg).
a is the lever arm ratio (9:1).
A is the area of the specimen in

.

b. With the screw jack support in supporting position, the weight hanger was
loaded with the necessary weights. The dual gauge was set to zero and the
seating weight was removed.
c. The stop watch was checked to be working correctly. The started date and
time were recorded and the stop watch was activated. The beam support
jack was lowered at the same time to allow the consolidation to begin.
d. Readings of the compression gauge was taken at the following time
sequence (minutes): 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36 and 49. A final reading
was taken at approximately 24 hours after starting the test.
e. A graph of compression dial gauge readings versus was plotted
using the recorded sample compression data.
After 24 hours, when the consolidation will be virtually complete, the
sample was unloaded and the following data was recorded:
Mass of consolidation ring + sample, wet; and
Mass of consolidation ring + sample, dry (dried to constant weight in an
oven at 105)
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From this data the final moisture content and void ratio of the sample
were determined.
f. The value of

0
was determined from the graph of compression vs.
by:
1. The best fitted straight line to the early portion of the curve was drawn
(usually within the first 50% of compression) and extended to intersect
the ordinate of zero time. The corrected zero point d
0
was represented
by the point.
2. A straight line through the d
0
which all points has abscissae 1.15 times
as great as those on the best fitted line was drawn. The 90%
compression point, d
90
, was given by the intersection of this line with
the experiment curve. t
90
was read off from the experiment curve
according to the d
90
.
3. The value of the coefficient of volume compressibility, m
v
(m
2
/MN),
was determined from the settlement data for the loading.
4. The value of the coefficient of consolidation, c
v
(m
2
/yr.), was
determined.

g. The record of data obtained from a full consolidation test with several
stages of loading and unloading. A graph of void ratio versus log
10
applied
pressures could be plotted.
For the single stage test, only settlement versus was plotted in
order to t
90
by Taylors curve fitting method. For the determination of t
90

and c
v
for each stage over several stages, separated graph of settlement
versus would be plotted.

Figure 3. : Typical Example of the Expression of Square Root Time
Method
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RESULT AND CALCULATION

Dimensions

Initial
Specimen
Overall
Change
Final
Specimen
Specimen
Preparation
Method
Diameter (mm) 75 0 75
Re-moulded Area (mm
2
) 4417.86 0 4417.86
Height (mm) 19.62 0.98 18.64
Volume (cm
3
) 86.68 4.33 82.35

Weighting Initial Specimen Final Specimen
Wet soil + ring + tray (g) 532.33 300.91
Dry soil + ring + tray (g) 504.21 275.01
Ring + tray (g) 346.57 117.37
Wet soil (g) 185.76 183.54
Dry Soil (g) 157.64 157.64
Water mass (g) 28.12 25.9
Moisture Content (%) 17.84 16.43
Density
3
2.14 2.23
Dry Density
3
1.82 1.91
Void Ratio 0.48 0.46
Degree of Saturation (%) 100 100
Height of Solids (mm) 19.62 18.64

Soil Description : Compacted Decomposite Granite
Machine No. : 2 Specimen diameter : 75 mm Height : 20 mm
Cell No. : 2 Lever Ratio : 9 : 1 Area : 4418 mm
2


Loading
Increment No. / Started 1 14/03/2014 1342
Load (kg) / Pressure (kPa) 5 / 100
Mean Daily Temperature 25





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Elapsed Time
(min)

Gauge Reading x
0.01
Cumulative
Compression (mm)
0.25 0.5 59.5 0.595
0.5 0.707 62.4 0.624
1 1 66.3 0.663
2 1.414 71.6 0.716
4 2 77.3 0.773
9 3 85.3 0.853
16 4 90.6 0.906
25 5 93.2 0.932
36 6 94.5 0.945
49 7 95.1 0.951
1440 37.947 98.0 0.980


Glossaries:
Negative sign means the soil is in compression.
The blue line is the curve come from experiment
The black solid line is the best fit line.
The red solid line is the line of 1.15 times to best fit line.
From the graph,
t
90
is equal to 3.8 of square root of time in minute. Therefore, it takes 14.44 minutes to
attain 90% of ultimate settlement.
S
90
is the gauge reading of 90% consolidation, which is equivalent to 0.882 mm.
-120
-100
-80
-60
-40
-20
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
G
a
u
g
e

R
e
a
d
i
n
g

x

0
.
0
1

Time-Consolidation Curve Using Sqaure Root Time Method
Time-
(3.8,88.2)
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CALCULATION FOR MASS (M) OR EQUIVALENT MASS (IN KG)
SUPPORTED BY THE SPECIMEN

Where

is the vertical stress applied to the specimen (kPa)

m is the mass or equivalent mass, supported by the specimen (kg)
a is the lever arm ratio (9:1)
A is the area of the specimen in mm
2

m
(
75
2
)

m 5. Kg

Therefore, 5 kg should be applied on it in order to achieve vertical stress of 100kPa.

EVALUATION FOR COEFFICIENT OF VOLUME COMPRESSIBILITY

The value of coefficient of volume compressibility, m
v
(in m
2
/MN) is given by the
formula

)(

Where H
1
is the height of the specimen at the beginning of the test (in mm)
H
2
is the height of the specimen at the end of test (in mm)
p
1
is the pressure applied to the specimen for the previous loading stage (in kPa)
p
2
is the pressure applied to the specimen for the loading stage being considered
(in kPa)

Assume initial apply stress (p
1
) is 0 kPa and increase stress (p
2
) is 100kPa with the
equivalent mass of 5 kg
H
1
H
2
= 0.98 mm where H
1
= 19.62 mm and H
2
= 18.64 mm

(
.
.62
)(

)
.5

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COEFFICIENT OF CONSOLIDATION C
V
(m
2
/year)

The coefficient of consolidation, c
v
, may be determined by finding the time required
for 90% consolidation of the soil sample (U = 0.9)
The test is in double drainage as initial assumption.
The value is calculation by using Terzaghis Analysis.

When U = 0.9
T
v
= 0.848
Since

.4

.4 (

6 24 365.25

.446

.2

Where T
v
is the time factor.
t is the time elapsed since the start of the consolidation (in min).
h is length of the drainage path (H is the thickness of the clay sample at time t)
(in mm)
c
v
is the coefficient of consolidation (m
2
/year)

is the average specimen thickness for the load increments (in mm)
i.e.

1
+
2

, H
1
is initial height, H
2
is final height.
In the standard oedometer consolidation test with double drainage the height H of the
specimen is equal to 2h.

t
90
= (3.8)
2
= 14.44 minutes

.62 +.64
2
.3

.2
4.44
.3

2.4

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DISCUSSION

HISTORY OF OEDOMETER TEST
Consolidation experiments were first carried out in 1910 by Frontard. A thin sample
was cut and placed in a metal container with a porous base. This sample was then
loaded through increments and allowed equilibrium to be achieved after each loading.
To prevent the degree of saturation of clay drops, the experiment was done in a high
humidity indoor.
In 1919, Karl von Terzaghi, father of Soil Mechanics, began his research about
consolidation at Robert College in Istanbul. Through these experiments, Terzaghi
started to derive his theory of consolidation. Consequently his result of research was
published in 1923, which named Terzaghis Consolidation Theory. He also develop
modern soil mechanics with his theories of lateral earth pressures, bearing capacity, and
stability.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology played a key role in early phase of
consolidation development. Terzaghi and Arthur Casagrande, American Civil
Engineer, spent time at M.I.T., Terzaghi from 1925 to 1929 and Casagrande from 1926
to 1932.

Figure 5 & 6. : Karl von Tezaghi (Left), Arthur Casagrande (Right)
At that time, the testing methods and apparatuses for consolidation testing were
improved. Donald Taylor was in-charged for the research involved it at MIT in the
1940s. Also, other experts were participated in it. After a series of testing, the
technique was further enhanced and the method is used until nowadays.
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Figure 7. : Initial Model for Oedometer Test Frame (Bishop)


Figure 8. : Testing Arrangement of Oedometer Test Nowadays


SOURCE OF ERRORS

There is no doubt that error is a part of experiment, no perfect in the world. The possible
errors are listed and described briefly below.

1. Unsaturated Clay - The clay might not be fully saturated because there are bubbles
exist in the voids between the soil particles. That may cause
contradiction from initial assumptions, compressible pore water
and the amendment of applied stress effect.

2. Friction Effect - Friction between the soil and the consolidation ring reduces the mean
stress of the soil because a layer of Vaseline is painted on the inner
surface of the ring.


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3. Initial Compression Error - Compression of apparatus (porous stones, filter paper),
compression of gas bubbles (not instantaneous), expansion
of the ring, compression of water and solids might cause
the real initial compression.

4. Time Scale Error - Since the duration of the consolidation procedures were so long,
disruption of the experimental setup was inevitable. Also, due
to the small scale of the readings, It may cause large distribution
with respect to the original values.

5. Human Error The soil in assembled manually so that the internal soil void may
much large than theoretical. Also, the soil may not saturate because some water may
evaporated to the surroundings. Moreover, reading from dual gauges may exist difference.
These factors affect the value of settlement.

RECOMMENDATIONS

To optimize the experiment, it is suggested that the following, to accurate the testing
result.

1. Using wide thin specimens and by reducing friction effect between soil and ring.
2. Use a correction factor for soil, attempt to ensure saturated soil.
3. Connect the instruments to computer to obtain the accurate reading (i.e.: Settlement at
different time)

CONCLUSION

From the experiment, the coefficient of volume compressibility is 0.50 m
2
/MN
and the coefficient of consolidation is 2.84 m
2
/year. Actually, the test should be done
by adding different value of pressure. Because of allowed time, one value of stress
was done of the oedometer test, only. In reality, it is required to complete with specific
phase with different applied stress.





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REFERENCES

1. Soil Mechanics & Foundations (2010), 3
rd
Edition, Muni Budhu, John Wiley
2. Soil Mechanics Concepts and Applications (2004), 2
nd
Edition, Wilie Powie,
Spon Press
3. Solving Problems in Soil Mechanics (1993), 2
nd
Edition, B.H.C. Sutton, Longman
Scientific and Technical
4. Explanation of Consolidation and its Calculation,
http://environment.uwe.ac.uk/geocal/SoilMech/consol/soilcons.htm
5. Oedometer Test, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oedometer_test