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ANALYSIS OF CONSOLIDATION (OEDOMETER) TEST

Introduction
A one-dimensional consolidation test is used to measure the consolidation and compression properties
of a cohesive soil. A consolidation test with several load increments usually takes several days to
complete. In this exercise, you first familiarise yourselves with how an oedometer test is conducted.
Then, a complete set of oedometer test data is provided for you to carry out the analysis of the test and
learn to evaluate the consolidation and compression properties of the clay.
You should complete (available for download from Learn):
- the consolidation data sheet by calculating and completing all the missing parameters;
- the plot of time vs deformation for each load increment on graph paper provided
- the plot of void ratio e vs log10 (effective stress) on graph paper provided
Objectives
a) To find the relationship between void ratio and effective stress determining the coefficient of
volume compressibility mv for each load increment, and the compression Cc and
swelling/expansion Cs indices;
b) To determine the coefficient of consolidation cv for each load increment;
c) To deduce the coefficient of permeability k for each load increment.
Experimental procedure (this produces the test data provided):
a) Weigh the consolidation ring and the plate.
b) Measure the height and the diameter of the ring using the vernier calipers.
c) Lubricate the ring slightly with silicone grease and prepare the clay sample in the ring using the
spatula and the wire saw.
d) Place the sample in the ring on the plate and weigh.
e) Centre the bottom porous disc in the consolidation cell, follow by the sample in the ring, with a
filter paper on each end of the sample.
f) Place the loading cap (with porous disc) on top. Assemble the rest of the cell and place the cell in
position on the loading device.
g) Fill the cell up with water.
h) Adjust the counterbalance mass to get the loading beam into a level position with the loading ram
in contact with the loading cap and the dial gauge properly set up. Record the dial gauge reading.
i) Apply the first increment and start the stop clock simultaneously, recording dial gauge readings at
the times as on the result sheet. Plot the height of the sample against the square root of time.
Compute t90 using D.W. Taylor's construction (Square-Root Method).
j) Repeat Step (i) with subsequent load increments at suitable intervals such as one increment per
day.
k) After the settlement has almost ceased, take the final dial gauge reading, remove all the loads and
leave to stabilise until the next laboratory session.
l) After swelling has ceased, record the final dial gauge reading. Dismantle the apparatus, remove
surplus water from the ring and the surfaces of the sample using a filter paper. Weigh an empty
tray and then weigh the sample and the ring on the tray. Re-weigh after drying in the oven (must
not be omitted).
Results and analysis
As you can gather from the test data provided, the first vertical stress applied was 40 kPa, which was
then increased to 80, 160, 320, 640 kPa in the four subsequent load increments, before reducing the
load back to 40 kPa for the swelling stage.

a) Determining the void ratio effective stress relationship:


The theoretical height of solid matter (without voids) is given by
2ds =

Ms
G s w A

where Ms is the dry mass of sample, A is the cross-sectional area of the sample and Gs is the specific
gravity of soil particles (Gs=2.73).
At any time during the test, the void ratio of the sample can be calculated as:
void ratio e =

2d-2ds
2ds

and

saturation ratio Sr =

w Gs
e

From the final (equilibrium) reading for each increment, calculate e and plot against log10 .
de
Determine the compression index Cc and the swelling index Cs (=
) from the plot.
d(log10 )

b)

Determine the following for each load increment:


Plot the time-deformation plot and determine t90
Coefficient of consolidation cv =

T90 dav2
mm2/s
t90

Coefficient of volume compressibility mv =

e
(1+e)

Coefficient of permeability k = cv w g mv
where

t90
T90
dav
e

e
cv

= time for 90% consolidation in seconds


= 0.848 = time factor for 90% consolidation
= average length of drainage path for the particular load increment in mm
= change in void ratio for the increment
= change in stress for the increment
= the value of void ratio before the increment is applied
= the average value of consolidation coefficient for the increment

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