NPTEL- Advanced Geotechnical Engineering

Chapter 5 Lecture 32 Consolidation-6 Topics

1.1.12 Constant-Gradient Consolidating Test
Interpretation of experimental results

1.1.13 One-Dimensional Consolidation with Visoelastic Models

1.1.12 Constant-Gradient Consolidating Test

The constant-gradient consolidation test was developed by Lowe et al. (1969). In this procedure, a saturated soil sample is taken in a consolidation ring. As in the case of the constant rate-of-strain type of test, drainage is allowed at the top of the sample and pore water pressure is measured at the bottom (figure 44). A load P is applied on the sample which increases the excess pore water pressure in the specimen by an amount (figure 45a). After a small lapse of time 1 , the excess pore water pressure at the top of the sample will be equal to zero (since drainage is permitted). However, at the bottom of the sample the excess pore water pressure will still be approximately (figure 45b). From this point on, the load P is increased slowly in such a way that the difference between the pore water pressure at the top and bottom of the specimen remains constant, i.e., the difference is maintained at a constant (figure 45 c and d). When the desired value of P is reached, say at time 3 the loading is stopped and the excess pore water pressure is allowed to dissipate. The elapsed time 4 at which the pore water pressure at the bottom of the specimen reaches a value of 0.1 is recorded. During the entire test, the compression that the specimen undergoes is recorded. Theory. From the basic equation we have
2 2
= 1+

2 2

(107) = 2
2

Or

(108)

Since = ,

(109)

For the controlled-gradient tests (i.e., during the time 1 to t 3 in figure 45), / = 0. So,

(110)
1

Dept. of Civil Engg. Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur

NPTEL- Advanced Geotechnical Engineering

Combining equations (108) and (110),

= 2

(111)

Note that the left-hand side of equation (111) is independent of the variable z and the right-hand side is independent of the variable t. so both sides should be equal to a constant , say 1 . Thus,

= 1
2

(112) (113)

And 2 = 1

Integration of equation (113) yields

= 1 + 2

(114) (115)

And = 1

2 2

+ 2 + 3

The boundary conditions are as follows: 1. At z = 0, u/ z = 0. 2. At z = H, u = 0. 3. At z = 0, u = u.

Figure 44 Schematic diagram for constant-gradient consolidation test

Dept. of Civil Engg. Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur

NPTEL- Advanced Geotechnical Engineering

From the first boundary condition and equation (114), we find that 2 = 0. So, = 1

2 2

+ 3

(116)

Form the secondary boundary condition and equation (116), 3 =

1 2 2 1 2 2

(117) + 1

Or =

2 2

(118)

For the third boundary condition and equation (118), =

1 2 2 2 2

Or 1 =

(119)

Substitution of this value of 1 into equation (118) yields = 1 2

2

(120)

Equation (120) shows a parabolic pattern of excess pore water pressure distribution, which remains constant during the controlled-gradient test (time 1 to t 3 in figure 45).

Figure 45 Stages in controlled-gradient test. (. Lowe et al. 1965

Dept. of Civil Engg. Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur

NPTEL- Advanced Geotechnical Engineering

Combining equations (112) and (119), we obtain

= 1 =

2 2

Or =

2 2

(121)

Interpretation of experimental results

The following information will be available from the constant-gradient test: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Initial height of the sample, , and height, H at any time during the test. The rate of application of the load P and thus the rate of application of stress / on the sample. The differential pore pressure . Time 1 . Time 3 . Time 4 .

The plot of . can be obtained in the following manner: 1. Calculate the initial void ratio . 2. Calculate the change in void ratio at any other time t during the test as =

(1 + )

Where is the total change in height from the beginning of test. So, the average void ratio at time t is = . 3. Calculate the average effective stress at time t using the known total stress applied on the sample at that time: = Where is the average excess pore water pressure in the sample Calculation of the coefficient of consolidation is as follows: 1. At time 1 , =
0.08 2 1

2. At time 1 < 1 < 3 , =

2 2

(121)

Note that / , , are all known from the tests. 3. Between time 3 and t 4 , =
(1.10.08) 2 3 4

1.02 2 3 4

Dept. of Civil Engg. Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur

NPTEL- Advanced Geotechnical Engineering

1.1.13 One-Dimensional Consolidation with Visoelastic Models

The rheological model for soil chosen by Barden consists of a linear spring and nonlinear dashpot as shown in figure 46. The equation of continuity for one-dimensional consolidation is given in equation (9) as

Figure 46 Rheological model for soil. L: Linear spring; N: Nonlinear dashpot

(1+ ) 2 2

Figure 47 shows the typical nature of the variation of void ratio with effective stress.

Figure 47 Nature of variation of void ratio with effective stress

From figure,
1 2

+ +

(122)

Where
1

1 2

= = total effective stress increase the soil will be subjected to at end of consolidation

= Effective stress increase in the soil at some stage of consolidation

5

Dept. of Civil Engg. Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur

NPTEL- Advanced Geotechnical Engineering

(i.e., the stress carried by the soil grain bond, represented by the spring in figure 46) = excess pore water pressure = strain carried by film bond (represented by the dashpot in figure 46) The strain can be given by a power-law relation: =
1/

Where > 1, and b is assumed to be a constant over the pressure range . Substitution of the preceding power-law relation for in equation (122) and simplification gives 2 = +
1/

(123)

Now let 2 = . So,

(124) (125)

= Where H is the length of maximum drainage path, and = The degree of consolidation is = 1
1

(126)

(127)
2
1 2

And = 1 =

(128)

Elimination of u from equations (9) and (123) yields

(1+ ) 2 2

1/

(129)

Combining equations (125), (128), and (129) we obtain

2 2

( )1/

1/

2 (1+ )

(130)

Where is the volume coefficient of compressibility and is the coefficient of consolidation. The right-hand side of equation (130) can be written in the form

(131)
6

Dept. of Civil Engg. Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur

NPTEL- Advanced Geotechnical Engineering

Where is the nondimensional time factor and is equal to / 2 . Similarly defining =

( ) 1

(132)

We can write ( )1
1/

1/

(133)

in equations (132), and (133) is defined as structural viscosity. It is useful now to define a nondimensional ratio R as =

( ) 1

(134)

From equations (130), (131), and (133),

2 2

1/

(135)

Note that equation (136) in nonlinear. For that reason, Barden suggested solving the two simultaneous equation obtained from the basic equation (9).
2 2

=
1

(136)

And ( ) =

(137)

Dept. of Civil Engg. Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur