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Assignment:
Determine the settlement value under the centre of an embankment constructed
on impermeable clay one year and ten years after its construction. Make the analysis using
CSN 73 1001 standards (using oedometric modulus), limit of influence zone consider using
coefficient of structure strength.
− 1st construction stage – interface modeling, calculation of the initial geostatic stress.
− 2nd construction stage – adding a surcharge by means of an embankment.
− 3rd up to 5th construction stages – calculation of embankment consolidation
at various time intervals (according to the assignment).
− Evaluation of results (conclusion).
Frame "Settings"
Note: This calculation considers the so called primary consolidation (dissipation of pore
pressure). Secondary settlement (creep), which may occur mainly with non-consolidated and
organic soils, is not solved within this example.
Then we enter the layer interface. The objective is to select two layers between which
the consolidation takes place.
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Frame "Interface"
The soil parameters are entered in the next step. For soils being consolidated, it is
required to specify either the coefficient of permeability " k " or the coefficient of consolidation
" cv ". Approximate values can be found in HELP (F1).
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Table with the soil parameters
Poisson’s Coeff. of
Oedometric Coeff. of
Soil Unit weight Ratio structural
(Soil classification) [
γ kN m 3 ] ν [−]
modulus
E oed [MPa]
strength
permeability
k [m day]
m [−]
Clayey soil 18,5 0,3 1,0 0,1 1,0 ⋅ 10 −5
Embankment 20,0 0,30 30,0 0,3 1,0 ⋅ 10 −2
Sandy silt 19,5 0,30 30,0 0,3 1,0 ⋅ 10 −2
Then we assign the soils to the profile. The frame surcharge in the 1st construction stage
is not taken into consideration, since in this example it will be represented by the actual
embankment body (in stages 2 to 5). In the next step, we shall enter the ground water table
(hereinafter the "GWT") using the interface points, in our case at ground level.
In the frame “Stage settings”, you can only modify layout and refinement of holes, so
leave the standard settings.
The first "Calculation" stage represents the initial geostatic stress at the initial
construction time. However, it is necessary to specify the basic boundary conditions for the
consolidation calculation in further stages. The top and bottom interface of the consolidating
soil is entered, as well as the direction of water flow from this layer – i.e. the drainage path.
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"Analysis" – Construction stage 1
Note: If you enter "Incompressible subsoil", you shall then consider the direction of flow of
water from the consolidating soil only upwards
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"Stage 2 – Embankment + Assignment"
Note: The embankment acts as a surcharge to the original ground surface. It is assumed that
a well-executed (optimally compacted) embankment theoretically does not settle. In a practice,
settlement may occur (poor compaction, soil creep effect), but the program Settlement does not
address this.
In the "Analysis" frame enter the time duration of the 2nd stage corresponding to the
actual embankment construction time. The actual calculation of the settlement cannot be
performed yet because, when determining consolidation, it is first necessary to know the whole
history of the earthwork structure loading, i.e. all construction stages.
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Frame "Analysis – Construction Stage 2"
Since the embankment is built gradually, we are considering the linear load growth
in the 2nd construction stage. In subsequent stages, the duration of the stage is entered (1 year
i.e. 365 days – 3rd stage, 10 years i.e. 3,650 days – 4th stage and the overall settlement – 5th
stage) and the whole loading is introduced at the beginning of the stage.
The calculations are performed after enter the last construction stage, which is on the "Overall
settlement", is turned on (you can check it at any stage apart from the first one).
Analysis results
Upon the calculation of the overall settlement, we can observe partial consolidation
values below the centre of the embankment. We have obtained the following maximum
settlement values in individual construction stages:
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"Analysis – Construction stage 5 (Overall settlement)"
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"Analysis – Settlement (differences compared to previous stages)"
Conclusion:
The embankment settlement (under its centre) within one year from its construction is
84.5 mm (= 113.7 – 29.2) and after ten years 282.5 mm (= 311.7 – 29.2).
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