CONSOLIDATION SETTLEMENT FOR CLAYS

Pre--Consolidation Pressure
Pre
Oedometer test to get Cc
and Cs values
void ratio

is the maximum
vertical
effective stress
the soil element
has ever been
subjected to

preconsolidation pressure

log

Primary Consolidation
Expulsion of water from soils accompanied by
increase in effective stress and strength
Amount can be reasonably estimated in lab, but
rate is often poorly estimated in lab
Only partially recoverable

Secondary Compression
Creep phenomenon
No pore pressure change
Commences at completion of primary
consolidation
c /Cc

c =

0.05

e
log (t2 / t1)

Terminology for Consolidation

Preconsolidation stress (pressure)
The maximum effective stress which has been
applied to an element of soil

Overconsolidated
A soil is called overconsolidated (OC) if:
Current Effective Stress

<

Preconsolidation Stress

Normally consolidated
A soil is called normally consolidated (NC) if:
Current Effective Stress

Preconsolidation Stress

 2004 Brooks/Cole Publishing / Thomson Learning

Consolidation
Settlement
Calculation
av

= 1/6(

t +4

m+

b)

SETTLEMENT CALCULATIONS Vs.

CONSOLIDATION STATUS
Normally consolidated

Overconsolidated
0+

average

<

Overconsolidated
0<

p<

0+

av

Cc Hc
= 1+
1+e
e0 log

0+

Cs Hc
= 1+
1+e
e0 log

0+

Cs Hc
log
1+e
1+
eo

average
0

average
0

p
0

Cc Hc
+
log
1+e
1+
e0

0+

av
p

EXAMPLE 2

SOLUTION 2

Normally consolidated

0=

Cc Hc
= 1+
1+e
e0 log

0+

average
0

2.5X16.5 + 0.5X(17.5 9.81)

+ 1.25X(16 9.81) = 52.84 kPa

= 1/6( t +4
m+
b)
Use the 2:1 stress distribution method
av

SOLUTION 2 - 2:1 METHOD

= (qXBXL
(qXBXL))/(B+Z
(B+Z)(L+Z
)(L+Z )

SOLUTION 2
At the top of clay layer, z = 2m
= (150X1X2) /(1+2)(2+2) = 25 kPa
m = (150X1X2) /(1+3.25)(2+3.25) = 13.45 kPa
b = (150X1X2) /(1+4.5)(2+4.5) = 8.39 kPa
t

av

= 1/6(

t +4

m+

b)

= 14.53 kPa

Check Boussineq stress distribution ...

SOLUTION 2: BOUSSINESQ
Case 1

b
a

e
For Point O: use 4 X Oabc

B= 0.5m and L = 1m
Corner O: z = q.I
Find I at z = 2m, 3.25m and 4,5m
M= B/z and N = L/z

For z = 2m, I
For z = 3.25m, I
For z = 4.5m, I

av

1/6(

=
t +4

m+

b)

=
= 13.5 kPa < 14.53 ...
av

Use the 2:1 Method in

this case

SOLUTION 2

Cc Hc
= 1+
1+e
e0 log

0+

= 46.9 mm

average
0

PRIMIARY CONSOLIDATION SETTLEMENT

If Clay layer is thick, divide the Clay layer into several
smaller sub-layers and calculate
average for each sub-layer
Total settlement is the sum of the settlements of sub-layers

Example 3
Determine the primary consolidation settlement of a foundation
measuring 1.5 m 3 m (B L) in plan using Boussinesq

Example 4
Determine the primary consolidation settlement of the same
foundation as in Example 3 if the Clay is overconsolidated

Overconsolidated clay
; Cs =0.07

p =200

kPa

Solution 4
Overconsolidated
0+

average

<

Cs Hc
= 1+
1+e
e0 log

0+

average
0

Settlement = 47mm X Cs/Cc

= 47mm X 0.07/0.27
= 12 mm

RATE OF Consolidation SETTLEMENT

In saturated soils rate of settlement depends
largely on how fast the water drains away
In Clays rates of settlement are slower than in
sands
Consolidation theory allows you to calculate
rate of settlement

RATE OF CONSOLIDATION

footing

footing

permeable

permeable

H = Clay thickness

z=H/2

Flow
Flow

permeable

z=H
impermeable

Z is the Length of longest drainage path

Modulus of Subgrade Reaction

The modulus of subgrade reaction is a
conceptual relationship between soil pressure
and deflection that is widely used in the
structural analysis of foundation members. It is
used for continuous footings, mats
The basic equation to compute modulus of
subgrade reaction is:

K=

in KN/m3 etc

Modulus of Subgrade Reaction

Bearing Capacity using the Pressuremeter

Bearing Capacity using the Pressuremeter

Bearing Capacity using the Pressuremeter

Bearing Capacity using the Pressuremeter

Homogeneous soil

Bearing Capacity using the Pressuremeter

Heterogeneous soil

Bearing Capacity using the Pressuremeter

Settlement using the Pressuremeter

Settlement using the Pressuremeter

Settlement using the Pressuremeter

Settlement using the Pressuremeter

Heterogeneous Soil

Settlement using the Pressuremeter

Heterogeneous Soil

Bearing Capacity using CPT

Bearing Capacity using CPT