Cleveland state university

ABSTRACT:-

determine the rate and magnitude of soil consolidation when the soil is restrained laterally and
loaded axially

SUBMITED BY:
Alsarhan khaled
2690728
Group: 1

EXPERIMENT

Consolidation Test

Date of submission
04-04-2019
Purpose:

Consolidation test is used to determine the rate and magnitude of soil consolidation

when the soil is restrained laterally and loaded axially. The Consolidation test is also referred to

as Standard Odometer test or One-dimensional compression test. This data is useful in

determining the compression index, the recompression index and the pre consolidation pressure

(or maximum past pressure) of the soil. In addition, the data obtained can also be used to

determine the coefficient of consolidation and the coefficient of secondary compression of the

soil.

ASTM designation:

ASTM D 2435 was adopted during performing this experiment.

Significance:

Consolidation Test is used to determine the rate and magnitude of settlement in soils.

The settlement values obtained by this test are due to primary consolidation only which is 90%

of the total consolidation. The results of consolidation test are very much helpful in the design of

foundations.
Equipment used:

 Consolidation device (including ring, porous stones, water reservoir, deformation and

load indicators),

 Sample trimming device

 glass plate

 Metal straight edge,

 Clock

 Moisture can

 Filter paper

 Consolidometer or odometer

 Consolidation ring

 Two porous stones

Test procedure:

 Weigh the empty consolidation ring together with glass plate.

 Measure the height (h) of the ring and it’s inside diameter (d).

 Prepare a soil sample in the ring as directed.

 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.

 Weigh the specimen plus ring plus.

 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.

 Place the load plate centrally on the upper porous stone and adjust the loading device.

 Adjust the dial gauge to a zero reading.

 Set the pressure sequence in the consolidation machine as desired (2.5, 5, 10 psi).

 Run each loading sequence for 24 hr.

 Record the consolidation dial readings at the elapsed times given on the data sheet.

 Repeat above two Step for different preselected pressures

 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.

 Carefully remove the consolidation ring with the specimen, being sure not to lose soil,

and place the ring & specimen in the previously weighed moisture can for water content

determination. Let it dry for 12 to 18 hours.

 Determine the moisture content of the entire sample. This will allow calculation of the

volume of water in the soil sample.

Calculations:

Elapsed Dial Gauge Reading

Time (min)

5 psi 15 psi 30psi 40psi

0 0.0039 0.0466 0.067 0.1139

0.1 0.0041 0.049 0.09 0.1141

0.25 0.0077 0.05 0.0913 0.1153

0.5 0.0104 0.0528 0.0917 0.116

1 0.0116 0.0535 0.0922 0.1165

2 0.0131 0.0538 0.0925 0.117

4 0.014 0.0621 0.0931 0.1174

8 0.015 0.0647 0.0931 0.1179

15 0.0153 0.0649 0.0938 0.1182

30 0.0157 0.065 0.0942 0.1186

60 0.016 0.0654 0.0945 732

Graphs:
 Consolidation vs. Square Root of Time (Load 5
psi)
Square Root of Time
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
0
0.02
0.04
Dial Guage Reading

0.06
0.08
0.1
0.12
0.14
0.16
0.18
0.2

Consolidation vs. Square Root of Time

(Load 30 psi)

9000
8000
7000
Dial gauge reading

6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
-1000 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
-2000
square root of T
 Consolidation vs. Square Root of Time
(Load 40 psi)

9000
8000
7000
Dial gauge reading

6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
-1000 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
-2000
square root of T

Consolidation vs. Square Root of Time

(Load 15 psi)

9000
8000
7000
Dial gauge reading

6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
-1000 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
-2000
square root of T
 Log of Cv

Pressure

0.698970004 10.56608

1 4.610653091

1.477121255 2.497437091

1.602059991 2.706608

Average Cv
12

10

8
CV

0
0.1 1 10

LOG OF PRESSURE (P)

 Cc graph
0.4 y = 0.301x - 0.9852
R² = 0.9359
0.2

0
0.595668838 0.594092244 0.594090933 0.59408989
-0.2
e

-0.4

-0.6

-0.8

-1
log σ

From graph it’s clear that value of Cc is 0.31

Conclusion:

Consolidation refers to the process by which soil changes volume gradually in response

to a change in pressure. This happens because soil is a two-phase material, comprising soil grains

and pore fluid, usually groundwater. When soil saturated with water is subject to an increase in

pressure, the high volumetric stiffness of water compared to the soil matrix means that the water

initially absorbs all the change in pressure without changing volume, creating excess pore water

pressure. As water diffuses away from regions of high pressure due to seepage, the soil matrix

gradually takes up the pressure change and shrinks in volume. The theoretical framework of

consolidation is therefore closely related to the diffusion equation, the concept of effective stress,

and hydraulic conductivity.

  CV is the coefficient of consolidation and is a measure of the rate at which the

consolidation process proceeds. And our values for Cv is given below

Cv

10.56608

4.610653091

2.497437091

2.706608

 The compression index, Cc, which indicates the compressibility of a normally-

consolidated soil. And its value was 0.31

Appendix: