COURSE NO: CE-4302

COURSE TITLE: GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING-II SESSIONAL

GROUP NO: 03 DATE OF EXPT.:- 01/03/18
EXPERIMENTAL NO: 01 DATE OF SUB.:- 22/04/18

LAB REPORT ON

DETERMININATION OF CONSOLIDATION PROPERTIES OF SOIL BY

OEDOMETER

PREPARED BY: SUBMITTED TO:

NAME: MD. PARVEJ DR. MD. ABU TAIYAB

PROFESSOR, CE , DUET
STD ID: 131046
&
CE-4/1(A) Mr. Md. ARIFUL ISLAM
LECTURER, CE, DUET

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

DHAKA UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY,
GAZIPUR
 NAME OF TEST: DETERMINATION OF THE CONSOLIDATION

PROPERTIES OF SOIL.

1.0 INTRODUCTION
When any soil is subjected to an increase in pressure or load, a readjustment in the soil structure occurs
that may be considered as consisting primarily of plastic deformation with a corresponding reduction in
void ratio (e). a small amount of elastic deformation may also take place, but considering the magnitude
of loads (or contact pressure) involved and that the modulus of elasticity of the soil particles is on order
of 20 Mpa, the elastic deformation- recoverable on removing the load- is negligible.
When the load is applied to a dry, partially saturated, or fully saturated coarse grained soil, or to a dry or
partially saturated fine grained soil, the process of plastic deformation with void ratio reduction takes
place in short enough period of time for the process to be considered instantaneous. This can be
explained by the fact that for dry and partially saturated soils the pore fluid has almost no viscosity or
flow resistance. Similarly, if the soil is coarse-grained the coefficient of permeability k is large and the
pore water can be quickly flow out. A consolidation test is not required in these cases.

When the load is applied to a fine-grained soil that is either nearly or completely saturated the time for all
the plastic deformation and void ratio reduction to take place is much longer. The length of time for this
process to take place will depend on several factors, of which the primary ones are

1. Degree of saturation

2. Coefficient of permeability of soil

3. Viscosity and compressibility of the pore fluid

4. Length of path the expelled pore fluid must take to find equilibrium.

Hence, consolidation may be defined ad that plastic deformation with void ratio reduction (generally
termed as settlement ∆H) which is a function of time and excess pore water pressure, or

∆H = f (t)
One dimensional consolidation is that, with a metal ring confining the sample no lateral soil or water
movement takes place – all water flow and soil movement are in the vertical direction.

The main purpose of consolidation test is to obtain soil data which are used in predicting the rate and the
amount of settlement of structure. The two most important soil properties furnished by a consolidation test
are the coefficient of compressibility (a v), through which one can determine the magnitude of compression
and the coefficient of consolidation (Cv) which enables the determination of the rate of compression under
a load increment. It also gives the useful information about stress history of the soil. It is used to predict
the settlements of structures in the field.
1.2 PURPOSE
This test is performed to determine the magnitude and rate of volume decrease that a laterally confined
soil specimen undergoes when subjected to different vertical pressures. From the measured data, the
consolidation curve (pressure-void ratio relationship) can be plotted. 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.

1.3 STANDARD REFERENCE

ASTM D 2435 - Standard Test Method for One-Dimensional Consolidation Properties of Soils.

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE
The consolidation properties determined from the consolidation test are used to estimate the magnitude
and the rate of both primary and secondary consolidation settlement of a structure or an earthfill.
Estimates of this type are of key importance in the design of engineered structures and the evaluation of
their performance.

1.5 EQUIPMENT
a. Consolidation device (including ring, porous stones and load plate)
b. Dial gauge (0.0001 inch = 1.0 on dial)
c. Sample trimming device
d. Glassplate
e. Metal straight edge
f. Clock
g. Moisture can
h. Filter paper

1.6 TEST PROCEDURE

1. The empty consolidation ring together with glass plate is weighted.

2. The height (h) of the ring and its inside diameter (d) are measured.

3. The soil sample from the sampler, generally thin-walled Shelby tube is extruded. The initial
moisture content and the specific gravity of the soil are determined, respectively.

4. Approximately a three-inch long sample is cut. The sample on the consolidation ring is placed and
the sides of the sample are cut to be approximately the same as the outside diameter of the ring.
The ring and pare off the excess soil are rotated by means of the cutting tool so that the sample is
reduced to the same inside diameter of the ring. It is important to keep the cutting tool in the
correct horizontal position during this process.

5. As the trimming progresses, the sample is pressed gently into the ring and continued until the
sample protrudes a short distance through the bottom of the ring. Be careful throughout the
trimming process to insure that there is no void space between the sample and the ring.
 6. The ring is turned over carefully and the portion of the soil is removed protruding above the ring.
Using the metal straight edge, the soil surface flush is cut with the surface of the ring. The final
portion is removed with extreme care.

7. The previously weighed Saran-covered glass plate is placed on the freshly cut surface, turn the
ring over again, and carefully cut the other end in a similar manner.

8. The specimen plus ring plus glass plate is weighted.

9. Carefully the ring with specimen is removed from the Saran-covered glass plate and peel the
Saran from the specimen surface. The porous stones is centered that have been soaking, on the top
and bottom surfaces of the test specimen. The filter papers are placed between porous stones and
soil specimen. Pressed very lightly to make sure that the stones adhere to the sample.

10. Being careful to prevent movement of the ring and porous stones, the load plate is placed
centrally on the upper porous stone and adjusted the loading device.

11. The dial gauge is adjusted to a zero reading.

12. Loads on the load plate is applied. First start by 50 kPa then after 1 day 50 and follow loadings
according to data sheet.

13. The consolidation dial readings is recorded at the elapsed times given on the data sheet.

14. At the last elapsed time reading, the final consolidation dial reading and time are recorded,
released the load, and quickly disassemble the consolidation device and the specimen is removed.
15. The specimen and ring on the Saran-covered glass plate is placed and, once again, weighted them
together.

16. An empty large moisture can and lid is weighted.

17. Carefully, the specimen is removed from the consolidation ring, being sure not to lose too much
soil, and the specimen is placed in the previously weighed moisture can. The moisture can
containing the specimen is placed in the oven and let it dry for 12 to 18 hours.

18. The dry specimen in the moisture can is weighted.

1.7 ANALYSIS
Determination of Cc, Cs & Pre consolidation pressure, Po
1. By visual observation, a point is established, at which the e–logP plot has a minimum radius of
curvature.
2. A horizontal line ab is drawn.
3. The line ac tangent at a is drawn.
4. The line ad is drawn, which is the bisector of the angle bac.
5. The straight-line portion gh of the e–logp plot is plotted back to intersect line ad at f. The
abscissa of point f is the preconsolidation pressure, pc.

Determination of t50 from deformation vs time curve

1. By visual observation, established point 1, at which curvestart falling. the time t 1 is taken from the
point
2. Another point 2 on curve is also taken from t =4t1
3. The horizontal line is drawn at a distance from point 2 just equal to the distance of point 1 & 2.
Record the deformation reading as d0.
4. Another point d100 is also taken as like figure. Then d50=(d0+d100)/2
Determination of t90 from deformation vs root time curve
1. The straight portion of the curve is extended and noted point t1.
2. Another point t2=1.15 t1 is drawn and a straight line joining t2 and the first point of the curve is drawn.
3. Point d90 and t90 is determined from the intersection point of the curve and the straight line from t2.
1 Lab Report ondetermination of consolidation properties of soil

1.8 DATA SHEET

OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS:
Project Loading Frame No:
Sample L.C. of Dial Gauge: 0.01
Soil Identification
Yellowish clay
Pressure Increment Pressure Increment Pressure Increment
From…0… To 50KPa From 50 To 100KPa From 100 To 200 Kpa
Elapsed Date and Elapsed Time Date and Elapsed
Date and Time Dial Dial Dial Reading
Time (min- Time (min- h) Time Time (min-
Reading Reading
h) h)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
20.0000 3:30 PM 19.945 3:30 PM
3:30 PM 0 0 0 19.73
0.25 19.9900 0.25 19.83 0.25 19.66
0.5 19.9900 0.5 19.828 0.5 19.65
1 19.9875 1 19.82 1 19.638
2 19.9850 2 19.815 2 19.62
4 19.9800 4 19.807 4 19.604
8 19.9790 8 19.798 8 19.58
15 19.9720 15 19.784 15 19.555
30 19.9695 30 19.7705 30 19.522
60 19.9670 60 19.76 60 19.496
120 19.9668 120 19.751 120 19.487
1440 19.9450 1440 19.73 1440 19.44
UNLOADING DATA
18.9 18.62 18.5

Prepared By: Md Parvej

2 Lab Report ondetermination of consolidation properties of soil

Pressure Increment Pressure Increment

From 200 To 400KPa From 400 To 800 KPa
Elapsed Time (min- Date and Time Elapsed Time
Date and Time Dial Reading Dial Reading
h) (min-h)
1 2 3 4 5 6
19.44 3:30 PM 19
3:30 PM 0 0
0.25 19.43 0.25 18.86
0.5 19.41 0.5 18.845
1 19.32 1 18.8225
2 19.295 2 18.79
4 19.275 4 18.755
8 19.246 8 18.7
15 19.195 15 18.64
30 19.139 30 18.55
60 19.084 60 18.45
120 19.045 120 18.39
1440 19 1440 18.29
UNLOADING DATA
18.38 18.29

Prepared By: Md Parvej

3 Lab Report ondetermination of consolidation properties of soil

PRESSURE - VOID RATIO DATA

Project: Specimen Measurements Water Content

Sample No: Diameter, D, cm: 50 Can No.: 210
Wt. of can +
Soil Area, A cm2 : 19.62 wet 235.5
Identification: soil:
wt. of can
Specific Gravity: 2.6 Thcikness Ho: 20 + dry soil: 219
Specime
n Wt. of Ring (W1): 160 wt. of can: 210
Preparati
on:
Procedure: Wt. of 235.5 wt. of water: 16.5
Specimen+Ring
(W2)
Type of water Final Wt. of 75.5 wt. of dry
Specimen (W3) 59
used: soil:
Dry Wt. of 219
spec+ ring Water 28
(W4) Content,%:
Dry wt. of 59
specimen, Ws
Equiv. Ht. of
Soilds, Hs, 11.56
mm

Prepared By: Md Parvej

4 Lab Report ondetermination of consolidation properties of soil

Plotting e-log p curve

Initial height of sample, Hi2 : 20mm

Area of soil sample, A = 𝜋r : 1962mm2
Height of solid, HS = : 11.56mm
Height of void, Hv = (Hi-HS) : 8.44mm
Initial Void ratio, e : 0.73

Calculating void ratio for any load

# Height of void, Hv = (Hi-change in deformation dial reading x factor-HS)
# Void ratio, e= Hv/ HS
Load, P (KPa) Height of void, Hv Void ratio, e

50 8.385 0.73
100 8.17 0.71
200 7.88 0.68
400 7.44 0.64
800 6.74 0.58
UNLOADING DATA
800 6.74 0.58
400 6.82 0.59
200 6.92 0.60
100 7.06 0.61
50 7.34 0.63

Prepared By: Md Parvej

5 Lab Report ondetermination of consolidation properties of soil

Determination of Cc, Cs & Pre consolidation pressure, Po

Pc=350kPa

0.73

0.71
Cc=0.263
0.69

0.67
eo

0.65

0.63

0.61

0.59 Cs=0.04
0.57

0.55
10 100 1000

P, kPa
Fig 1.2 e-logP curve
6 Lab Report ondetermination of consolidation properties of soil

Determination of coefficient of consolidation, CV for 50% consolidation

pressure, kPa Hdr, mm t50 mjn Cv mv k*10-6 , m/min

50 9.986 10 1.7 0.58 9.67

100 9.92 12 1.52 2.08 31.02

200 9.77 14 1.34 1.56 20.51

400 9.62 16 1.04 1.16 11.83

800 9.325 18 0.94 0.83 7.65

Time vs deformation curve

log time curve for 1kg

19.9950
19.9900
19.9850
19.9800
Deformation

19.9750
19.9700
19.9650
19.9600
19.9550
19.9500
1 10 100 1000 10000
time
7 Lab Report ondetermination of consolidation properties of soil

log time curve for 2kg

19.84

19.82

19.8

19.78

19.76

19.74

19.72
1 10 100 1000 10000

log time for 4kg

19.7

19.65

19.6
Axis Title

19.55

19.5

19.45

19.4
1 10 100 1000 10000
Axis Title
80 Lab Report ondetermination of consolidation properties of soil

logtime for 8kg

19.5
19.45
19.4
19.35
19.3
19.25
19.2
19.15
19.1
19.05
19
18.95
1 10 100 1000 10000

logtime for 16kg

18.9

18.8

18.7

18.6

18.5

18.4

18.3

18.2
1 10 100 1000 10000
81 Lab Report ondetermination of consolidation properties of soil

Cv, mv & K vs logP curve for 50% consolidation

1.8

1.6

1.4

1.2

1
Cv

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
10 100 1000
Pressure, kPa
Fig 1.3 Pressure vs Coefficient of consolidation curve

2.5

1.5
mv

0.5

0
10 100 1000
Pressure, kPa

Fig 1.4 Pressure vs Coefficient of volume compressibility

82 Lab Report ondetermination of consolidation properties of soil

35.00

30.00

25.00
k*10-6 , m/min

20.00

15.00

10.00

5.00

0.00
10 100 1000
Pressure, kPa

Fig 1.5 Pressure vs Permeabilty curve

Determination of coefficient of consolidation, CVfor 90% consolidation:

Pressure,kPa Hdr, mm t90 min Cv mv K

50 9.986 36 2.2 0.58 12.52

100 9.92 64 1.48 2.08 30.20

200 9.77 72.25 1.25 1.56 19.13

400 9.62 81 0.96 1.16 10.92

800 9.325 90.25 0.82 0.83 6.68

* For double drainage H dr will be divided by 2.

83 Lab Report ondetermination of consolidation properties of soil

Cv, mv & k vs logP curve for 90% consolidation

35.00

30.00
k*10-6 , m/min

25.00

20.00

15.00

10.00

5.00

0.00
10 100 1000
Pressure, kPa
Fig 1.7 Pressure vs Permeabilty curve
84 Lab Report ondetermination of consolidation properties of soil

2.5

1.5
Cv

0.5

0
10 100 1000
Pressure, kPa
Fig 1.8 Pressure vs Coefficient of consolidation curve

4.9 FINAL RESULTS

Compression Index (Cc) : .263
Recompression Index (Cr) : .04
Preconsolidation pressure (Pc) : 350kPa
Coefficient of consolidation (Cv) for 50% consolidation: .96 to 1.7 mm2/min
Coefficient of consolidation (Cv) for 90% consolidation: .84 to 2.2 mm2/min

Relation between Calculated Cc & Cc obtained from empirical formula

Formula Value Remarks
Liquid Limit 51.50%
Plastic limit 33.33%
Plasticity Index 18.17%
Skempton Tarzaghi frmula, Cc=0.009(LL-10) 0.37

Rendon-Harrero, Cc=.14Gs1.2((1+eo)/Gs)2.38 0.17

Wroth & Wood, Cc=0.5GsPI 0.24 Close
Kulhawy and Mayne, Cc= PI/370 0.5
Park and Koumoto 0.22 Close
85 Lab Report ondetermination of consolidation properties of soil

1.10 RESULT AND DISCUSSION

The main purpose of consolidation test is to obtain soil data which are used in predicting the rate
and the amount of settlement of structure. The two most important soil properties furnished by a
consolidation test are the coefficient of compressibility (a v), through which one can determine the
magnitude of compression and the coefficient of consolidation (C v) which enables the
determination of the rate of compression under a load increment. It also gives the useful
information about stress history of the soil. It is used to predict the settlements of structures in the
field.
The average value of coefficient of consolidation using the log of time root method (Cv) is 1.45
cm2/min. and from the slope of curve plotted between logarithmic of pressure versus void ratio,
the value of compression index (Cc) is 0.263. Similarly, average value of coefficient of volume
compressibility (mv) is 1.25 m2/KN.
86 Lab Report ondetermination of consolidation properties of soil