SOIL MECHANICS & FOUNDATION

ENGIN EERING

Lecture
Soil Consolidation

Nafisa Shaikh
Ass. Professor PPSUNI, Kosamba
 Introduction
Structures are built on soils. They transfer loads
to the subsoil through the foundations. The effect
of the loads is felt by the soil normally up to a
depth of about four times the width of the
foundation. The soil within this depth gets
compressed due to the imposed stresses. The
compression of the soil mass leads to the
decrease in the volume of the mass which results
in the settlement of the structure.

3
 Introduction
If the settlement is not kept to tolerable limit,
the desire use of the structure may be
impaired and the design life of the structure
may be reduced
It is therefore important to have a mean of
predicting the amount of soil compression or
consolidation

4
 Compressibility
The settlement is defined as the compression of a
soil layer due to the loading applied at or near
its top surface.
The total compression of soil under load is
composed of three components (i.e. elastic
settlement, primary consolidation settlement,
and secondary compression).

5
 Compressibility

There are three types of settlement:

1. Immediate or Elastic Settlement (Se): caused by
the elastic deformation of dry soil and of moist
and saturated soils without change in the moisture
content.
2. Primary Consolidation Settlement (Sc) : volume
change in saturated cohesive soils as a result of
expulsion of the water that occupies the void
spaces.

6
 Compressibility
3.Secondary Consolidation Settlement (Ss):
volume change due to the plastic adjustment of
soil fabrics under a constant effective stress (creep).

Coarse-grained soils do not undergo consolidation

settlement due to relatively high hydraulic
conductivity compared to clayey soils. Instead,
coarse-grained soils undergo immediate
settlement.

7
 Consolidation
Consolidation settlement is the vertical
displacement of the surface corresponding to the
volume change in saturated cohesive soils as a
result of expulsion of the water that occupies the
void spaces.
•Consolidation settlement will result, for example,
if a structure is built over a layer of saturated
clay or if the water table is lowered permanently
in a stratum overlying a clay layer.

8
 Consolidation
Consolidation is the time-dependent settlement of
fine grained soils resulting from the expulsion of
water from the soil pores. The rate of escape of
water depends on the permeability of the soil.

9
 Consolidation
• Permeability of clay is low
• Drainage occurs slowly – therefore, the settlement is
delayed.
• Clayey soils undergo consolidation settlement not only
under the action of “external” loads (surcharge
loads) but also under its own weight or weight of
soils that exist above the clay (geostatic loads).
• Clayey soils also undergo settlement when dewatered
(e.g., ground water pumping) – because the effective
stress on the clay increases.

10
 Consolidation
The amount of settlement is proportional to the
one-dimensional strain caused by variation in the
effective stress. The rate of settlement is a function
of the soil type, the geometry of the profile (in 1-
D consolidation, the length of the drainage path)
and a mathematical solution between a time factor
and the percent consolidation which has occurred.

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 Consolidation vs. Compaction

Consolidation vs. Compaction

Compaction Consolidation
Instantaneous Process Time-dependent process
( applicable to all soils ) ( applicable to clayey soils
Only ). Can occur over 100s of years
Applicable to unsaturated Applicable to saturated soils.
soils. Decrease in air voids Decrease in water voids ( air voids
( not water voids ). do not exist)
Dry density increases, water Dry density increases, water content
content dose not change decreases.

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 Fundamentals of Consolidation
Spring-cylinder model
The time-dependent deformation of saturated clayey soil
can best understood by considering a simple model that
consist of a cylinder with Valve closed
a spring at its center.
The cylinder is filled with
water and has a frictionless
∆  =  0
watertight piston and valve.
0

17
Fundamentals of Consolidation
Spring-cylinder model
If we place a load P on the piston and keep the valve
closed. The entire load will be taken by the water in the
cylinder because water is incompressible.
    Valve closed

The spring will not go through

any deformation.
∆  =
The excess hydrostatic (∆  =  0).
pressure at this time can be
given as ∆u = P/A and the 0

effective stress is equal to zero

∆  =  ∆
18
 Fundamentals of Consolidation
Variation of total stress, pore water pressure, and
effective stress in a clay layer drained at top and bottom
as the result of an added stress
∆ :

∆
Pore water
Total stress pressure Effective stress
Sand

Clay H

Sand
∆ ∆  =  ∆ ∆σ  =  0
Depth Depth Depth

At time = 0
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Fundamentals of Consolidation
Spring-cylinder model
If the valve is opened, the water will flow outward. This
flow will be accompanied by a reduction of the excess
hydrostatic pressure and an increase Valve open
in the compression of the spring.

∆  =
∆  <
∆  =  ∆   + ∆
0
∆  >  0   and ∆  <

∆  =  ∆   + ∆
20
 Fundamentals of Consolidation
Variation of total stress, pore water pressure, and
effective stress in a clay layer drained at top and bottom
as the result of an added stress
∆ :

∆
Pore water
Total stress pressure Effective stress
Sand
∆  <  ∆
∆σ  < ∆
Clay H

Sand ∆ ∆ ∆

Depth Depth Depth

At time 0 ˂  t ˂  ∞

21
Fundamentals of Consolidation
Spring-cylinder model
The spring is totally compressed with final value and
the load carried by water therefore now is zero and the
entire load is carried by the solids.
Valve
    open

∆  =  0

∆  =  ∆
22
 Fundamentals of Consolidation
Variation of total stress, pore water pressure, and
effective stress in a clay layer drained at top and bottom
as the result of an added stress
∆ :

∆
Pore water
Total stress pressure Effective stress
Sand

Clay H

Sand
∆ ∆  =  0 ∆σ  =  ∆
Depth Depth Depth

At time = ∞
23
 Consolidation Test
Laboratory consolidation test
The oedometer test is used
to investigate the 1-D
consolidation behaviour of
fine-grained soils.

1.Place sample in ring

2.Apply load
3.Measure height change
4.Repeat for new load.

24
 Consolidation Test
Laboratory consolidation test Dial gage

Porous stone
2.5 in.=63 mm

Water Water
25 mm

bath Soil sample bath

Soil sample
Porous stone
An undisturbed soil sample 25 mm in height and 75
mm in diameter is confined in a steel confining ring and
immersed in a water bath.
25
 Consolidation Test
Laboratory consolidation test Dial gage

Porous stone
2.5 in.=63 mm

Water Water
25 mm

bath Soil sample bath

Soil sample
Porous stone
It is subjected to a compressive stress by applying a
vertical load, which is assumed to act uniformly over the
area of the soil sample.
26
 Consolidation Test
Laboratory consolidation test Dial gage

Porous stone
2.5 in.=63 mm

Water Water
25 mm

bath Soil sample bath

Soil sample
Porous stone
Several increments of vertical stress are applied usually
by doubling the previous increment.

27
 Consolidation Test
Laboratory consolidation test Dial gage

Porous stone
2.5 in.=63 mm

Water Water
25 mm

bath Soil sample bath

Soil sample
Porous stone
Two-way drainage is permitted through porous disks at
the top and bottom

28
 Consolidation Test
Laboratory consolidation test Dial gage

Porous stone
2.5 in.=63 mm

Water Water
25 mm

bath Soil sample bath

Soil sample
Porous stone
The vertical compression of the soil sample is recorded
using highly accurate dial gauges.

29
 Consolidation Test
Laboratory consolidation test Dial gage

Porous stone
2.5 in.=63 mm

Water Water
25 mm

bath Soil sample bath

Soil sample
Porous stone
For each increment, the final settlement of the soil sample
as well as the time taken to reach the final settlement is
recorded.
30
 Consolidation Test
Laboratory consolidation test
Assumption:
• Load distribution-uniform
• Stress distribution(in
different height)-the same 2.5 in.=63 mm

• No lateral deformation

25 mm
• The area of the sample
section-unchangeable
Soil sample
• Solid soil-uncompressible

31
 Consolidation Test
Laboratory consolidation test
A laboratory consolidation test is performed on an
undisturbed sample of a cohesive soil to determine its
compressibility characteristics. The soil sample is assumed
to be representing a soil layer in the ground.
A conventional consolidation test is conducted over a
number of load increments. The number of load
increments should cover the stress range from the initial
stress state of the soil to the final stress state the soil layer
is expected to experience due to the proposed construction.

32
 Consolidation Test
Determine the height of solids (Hs) of the specimen in
the mold
Determine the change in height (∆H)
Determine the final specimen height, H t(f)
Determine the height of voids (H v)
Determine the final void ratio
Ws H   = H    − Hs e  = H v
H   = v t( f  )
s
 π   2  ρ Hs
   D   G   
  4     s    w

33
 Consolidation Test
The effective stress σ’ and the corresponding void ratios e
at the end of consolidation are plotted on semi-
logarithmic graph:
In the initial phase, relatively great
change in pressure only results in less
change in void ratio e. The reason is
part of the pressure got to compensate
the expansion when the soil specimen
was sampled. In the following phase e
changes at a great rate

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 Consolidation Test
The general shape of the plot of deformation of the
specimen against time for a given load increment is shown
below. From the plot, we can observe three distinct stages:

Stage 1: initial Compression

Deformation

Mostly caused by preloading

Time ( log scale )

35
 Consolidation Test
The general shape of the plot of deformation of the
specimen against time for a given load increment is shown
below. From the plot, we can observe three distinct stages:

Stage 2: Primary Consolidation

Deformation

Excess pore water pressure is

gradually transferred into
effective stress by the expulsion
of pore water

Time ( log scale )

36
 Consolidation Test
The general shape of the plot of deformation of the
specimen against time for a given load increment is shown
below. From the plot, we can observe three distinct stages:

Stage 3: Secondary Consolidation

Deformation

Occur after complete

dissipation of the excess pore
water pressure, this is caused
by the plastic adjustment of
soil fabric
Time ( log scale )
Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 37
 Consolidation Test
Laboratory consolidation test
Increments in a conventional consolidation test are
generally of 24 hr. duration and the load is doubled in
the successive increment.
The main purpose of consolidation tests is to obtain soil
data which is used in predicting the rate and amount of
settlement of structures founded on clay.

38
 Compressibility Parameters

The most important soil properties determined by

a consolidation test are:
1.0
1. Compression Index Cc
   −   ! 0.9

Void ratio, e
   = %
log   −  log
!
0.8

2. Swelling Index Cs 0.7

%!

0.6

100 1000
Effective stress ( log scale )

39
 Compressibility Parameters

3. Compressibility Coefficient &

Evaluation of compression with &
∆    − !
&   =  − =
∆    −
!
1.0
’
&   <  0.1 %&
0.9
Low compressibility
Void ratio, e
0.1  ≤  &   ≤  0.5 %&’ 0.8
%
Middle compressibility 0.7
! %!
’
&   >  0.5 %&
0.6
High compressibility !

200 400 600 800

Effective stress
40
 Compressibility Parameters

4. Coefficient of volume compressibility mv

Void ratio, e
This parameter is
defined as change in1.0
volume per unit volume
0.9
as a ratio with respect
to the change in stress.0.8 %
0.7 %!
& !
*   = 0.6
1  +  
!

200 400 600 800

Effective stress
41
 Compressibility Parameters

5. Preconsolidation Pressure
Normally consolidated clay, whose present effective
overburden pressure is the maximum pressure that the soil
was subjected to in the past.
Overconsolidated, whose present effective overburden
pressure is less than that which the soil experienced in the
past. The maximum effective past pressure is called the
preconsolidation pressure.

42
 Compressibility Parameters

5. Preconsolidation Pressure
Preconsolidation pressure can be determined as follow :
1.Establish point a, at which curve has
a minimum radius of curvature.
2.Draw a horizontal line ab.
3.Draw the line ac tangent at a.
4.Draw the line ad, which is the
bisector of the angle bac.
5.Project the straight-line portion gh
of the e–log σ’ plot back to intersect
line ad at f. The abscissa of point f is
the preconsolidation pressure, .

43
 Compressibility Parameters

5. Preconsolidation Pressure
The overconsolidation ratio (OCR) for a soil can now be
defined as
+,  =
where :
    = preconsolidation pressure
    = present effective vertical pressure
The OCR for an OC soil is greater than 1.

Most OC soils have fairly high shear strength.

The OCR cannot have a value less than 1.

Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 44

 Compressibility Parameters

6. Coefficient of consolidation Cv
The rate of consolidation settlement is estimated using
the Coefficient of consolidation Cv. This parameter is
determined for each load increment in the test.

The coefficient of consolidation

( )-can be determined by
the (Casagrande) Logarithm-of-Time and by (Taylor)
Square –Root of Time Methods.

45
 Compressibility Parameters

6. Coefficient of consolidation Cv
Logarithm –of – time Method
The following construction are needed to determine Cv:
1. Extend the straight line portions of primary and
secondary consolidations to intersect at A. The ordinate
of A is represent by d100 - that is, the deformation at
the end of 100% primary consolidation

46
 Compressibility Parameters

6. Coefficient of consolidation Cv
Logarithm –of – time Method
The following construction are needed to determine Cv:
2. The initial curved portion on the plot of deformation
versus logt is approximated to be a parabola on the natural
scale. Select times t1 and t2 on the curved portion such that
t2 = 4 t1. Let the difference of specimen deformation
during time ( t2 – t1 ) be equal to x

47
 Compressibility Parameters

6. Coefficient of consolidation Cv
Logarithm –of – time Method
The following construction are needed to determine Cv:
3. Draw a horizontal line DE such that the vertical
distance BD is equal to x.
The deformation corresponding to the line DE is d 0 ( that
is deformation at 0% consolidation
4. The ordinate of point F on the consolidation curve
represent the deformation at 50% primary consolidation
and its abscissa represent the corresponding time ( t50)
48
 Compressibility Parameters

6. Coefficient of consolidation Cv

Logarithm –of
– time Method

49
 Compressibility Parameters

6. Coefficient of consolidation Cv
Logarithm –of – time Method
The following construction are needed to determine Cv:
5. For 50% average degree of consolidation Tv =
0.197, so 2
c   =
0.197  H dr
v
t50

where Hdr = average longest drainage path during

consolidation.

50
 Compressibility Parameters

6. Coefficient of consolidation Cv
Logarithm –of – time Method
The following construction are needed to determine Cv:
For specimen drained at both top and bottom, Hdr
equals one-half the overage height of the specimen
during consolidation .
For specimen drained on only one side, Hdr equals the
average height of the specimen during consolidation.

Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 51

 Compressibility Parameters

6. Coefficient of consolidation Cv
Square-Root-of-Time Method (Taylor)
Plot a deformation against the square root of time
1. Draw a line AB through the early portion of the
curve
2. Draw a line AC such that OC = 1.15 OB.
The abscissa of point D, which is the intersection of
AC and the consolidation curve, gives the square root
of time for 90% consolidation
52
 Coefficient of Consolidation
6. Coefficient of consolidation Cv
Square-Root-of-Time Method (Taylor)
Plot a deformation against the square root of time
3. For 90% consolidation T 90 = 0.848, so
2
c   = 0.848H dr
v
t90

53
 Coefficient of Consolidation
6. Coefficient of consolidation Cv
Square-Root-of-Time Method (Taylor)

54
 Consolidated Settlement

Primary consolidation
203 403*&//5 -040/67&87 -/&5

-    ℎ     + ∆
.  = /01
1  +  

203 093-040/67&87 -/&5 :68ℎ     + ∆   ≤  

-    ℎ     + ∆
.  = /01
1  +  

where =  -0*;3604 647<

   =  ://641 647<
55
 Consolidated Settlement

Primary consolidation
203 093-040/67&87 -/&5 :68ℎ
    ≤     ≤     + ∆
-    ℎ -    ℎ     + ∆
.  = /01 + /01
1  +   1  +  
where
   =  64686&/ 9067 3&860 0= 8ℎ -/&5 /&53
   =  ;3-040/67&8604 ;33
ℎ  =  8ℎ6->4 0= 8ℎ -/&5 /&53
    =  093?374 ==-869 ;33
&8 8ℎ *677/ 0= 8ℎ -/&5 /&53
Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 56
 Consolidated Settlement

Secondary Consolidation
At the end of primary consolidation (i.e., after the complete
dissipation of excess pore water pressure) some settlement
is observed that is due to the plastic adjustment of soil
fabrics. This stage of consolidation is called secondary
consolidation.
A plot of deformation
against the logarithm of
time during secondary
consolidation is practically
linear as shown in Figure.
57
 Consolidated Settlement

Secondary Consolidation
The secondary compression index can be defined as:

∆
   =
@
/018   −  /018
!

where
   =  -047&35
@
-0*;3604 647<
∆  =  -ℎ&41 0= 9067 3&860
8   &478   =  86*
!

58
 Consolidated Settlement

Secondary Consolidation
The magnitude of the secondary consolidation can be
calculated as :
   ℎ
@
.    =
/01 8   /8
!   
where
@
   =
@
1  +  B
   =  9067
B 3&860&8 8ℎ 47 0= ;36*&35 -040/67&8604

ℎ  =  8ℎ6->4 0= 8ℎ -/&5 /&53

Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 59

 Consolidated Settlement

Secondary Consolidation

Secondary consolidation settlement is more

important in the case of all organic and highly
compressible inorganic soils.
In overconsolidated inorganic clays, the
secondary compression index is very small and
of less practical significance.

60
 Time Rate of Consolidation
Terzaghi(1925) derived the time rate of consolidation
based on the following assumptions:
1 The soil is homogeneous and fully saturated.
2 There is a unique relationship, independent of time,
between void ratio and effective stress.
3 The solid particles and water are incompressible.
4 Compression and flow are one-dimensional (vertical).
5 Strains in the soil are relatively small.
6 Darcy’s law is valid at all hydraulic gradients.
7 The coefficient of permeability and volume
compressibility remain constant throughout the process .
61
 Time Rate of Consolidation
Degree of consolidation
The average degree of consolidation for the
entire depth of the clay layer at any time t can
be expressed as
1 !L MN
. I        J7K
2FGH O
C  = =  1  −
.D
where
C  =   &93&1 713 0=-040/67&8604
.   =   88/*48 0= 8ℎ /&53 &8 86* 8
.   =  
D =64&/ 88/*48 0= 8ℎ /&53
=30* ;36*&35 -040/67&8604
62
 Time Rate of Consolidation
Degree of consolidation

The values of the time factor and their

corresponding average degrees of consolidation for
the case presented in may also be approximated by
the following simple relationship:
!
T C%
203 C  =  0 80 60%, S   =
4 100

203 C  >   60%, 100  −  C%

S   =  1.781  −  0.933/01
    8 k(1+  e  )
S  =
! c   =
v
1
FGH aγ ω
Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 63
 Worked Example
Example 1
The results of laboratory consolidation test on a clay
sample are given below:
Pressure, kN/m^2 23.94 47.88 95.76 191.52 383.04 766.08
Void ratio , e 1.112 1.105 1.080 0.985 0.850 0.731

1. Draw an e-logσplot
2. Determine the preconsolidationpressure.
3. Find the compression index, Cc.

64
 Worked Example
Example 2
Data obtained from one increment in a conventional multi increment
consolidation test :
Time Elapsed (min) 0.00 0.25 0.5 1.0 2.0 4.0 8.0 15.0 30 60 120 1440

Dial Reading (mm) 3.74 3.86 3.88 3.92 3.99 4.08 4.19 4.29 4.37 4.41 4.44 4.52

Dial gauge reading at the start of the current increment = 3.744 mm

Initial height of the sample = 20 mm
Specific gravity of the particles = 2.65
Current load increment is from 60 >Z/*
!
to 120 >Z/*   ! .
Required :
The coefficient of consolidation.

Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 65

 Worked Example
Time Elapsed (min) 0.00 0.25 0.5 1.0 2.0 4.0 8.0 15.0 30 60 120 1440

Root time (mm) 0.0 0.5 0.71 1.0 1.41 2.0 2.83 3.87 5.48 7.75 10.95 37.95

Settlement (mm) 0.0 0.12 0.14 0.18 0.25 0.34 0.45 0.55 0.63 0.67 0.70 0.78

Logarithm –of – time Method

ℎ  =  20  −  3.74 =  16.26 **
7   =  0.02
O 7   OO =  0.67

7   +  7
O   OO 0.05  +  0.67
7    8[O=  4.6 *64
&9 = = =  0.36 →
2 2
! !
0.197  ∗  F   73 0.197  ∗  (16.26/2)    !
9 -   =8 9 -   = =  2.83 **   /*64
[O 4.6

66
 Worked Example
0
7   =  0.02
O <
0.1

0.2
<
7   
&9 =  0.36
0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6
7   
  OO =  0.67
0.7

0.8

0.9
0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000
8   [O=  4.6 *64
Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 67
 Worked Example
Time Elapsed (min) 0.00 0.25 0.5 1.0 2.0 4.0 8.0 15.0 30 60 120 1440

Root time (mm) 0.0 0.5 0.71 1.0 1.41 2.0 2.83 3.87 5.48 7.75 10.95 37.95

Settlement (mm) 0.0 0.12 0.14 0.18 0.25 0.34 0.45 0.55 0.63 0.67 0.70 0.78

Square-Root-of-Time Method (Taylor)

8   
]O =  4.5 8   
]O =  20.25 *64

! !
0.848  ∗  F   73 0.848  ∗  (16.26/2)    !
9 -   =8 9 -   = =  2.77 **   /*64
]O 20.25

68
 Worked Example
Square-Root-of-Time Method (Taylor)
0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
8   
]O =  4.5
69