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Consolidation

1) A 9ft x 9ft column foundation with a load of 500 lbs is placed 3ft below ground surface. 2) Below is a sandy soil layer, then a 15ft thick clay layer with a compression index of 0.32 and initial void ratio of 0.80. 3) Groundwater is 4ft below ground surface. One-dimensional consolidation analysis is used to calculate the settlement in the clay layer due to loading, assuming the clay is normally consolidated.

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ASHJAEE MANSIB CHOWDHURY
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30 views21 pages

Consolidation

1) A 9ft x 9ft column foundation with a load of 500 lbs is placed 3ft below ground surface. 2) Below is a sandy soil layer, then a 15ft thick clay layer with a compression index of 0.32 and initial void ratio of 0.80. 3) Groundwater is 4ft below ground surface. One-dimensional consolidation analysis is used to calculate the settlement in the clay layer due to loading, assuming the clay is normally consolidated.

Uploaded by

ASHJAEE MANSIB CHOWDHURY
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CONSOLIDATION

When a compressive load is applied to soil mass a decrease in its volume takes place. The
decrease in volume of soil mass under stress is known as ‘compression’ and the property of a soil
mass pertaining to its susceptibility to decrease in volume under pressure is known as
‘compressibility’.
A compression resulting from a long term static load and the consequent escape of pore water is
termed as ‘consolidation’. According to Terzaghi, “every process involving a decrease of water
content of a saturated soil without replacement of the water by air is called a process of
consolidation.
Fundamentals of Consolidation
Differences between Consolidation and Compaction
Consolidation Compaction
1. In consolidation process, soil volume is 1 In compaction process, soil volume is
reduced by squeezing out pore water reduced by removing air void from the
from the saturated soil. saturated and dry soil. 
2 Static and sustained loading is applied 2 Dynamic loads by rapid mechanical
for a long interval in soil consolidation. methods like tamping, rolling and
vibration are applied for a small
interval in soil compaction.
3 Consolidation is a process where steady 3 Compaction is a process where a
and static pressure causes compression mechanical pressure is used to
of saturated soil. compress the soil mass for the purpose
of soil improvement.
4 Consolidation of soil is mainly used for 4 Compaction of soil is mainly used for
clayey soil. sandy soil.
5 Consolidation is a natural process 5 Compaction is intentionally done to
where soil below the building and other produce a high unit weight of soil and
structure compacted by the transferred consequently improve other soil
load to the soil through the provided properties.
foundation system.

One dimensional consolidation


If the lateral strain of clay layer is defined infinite and the thickness is small then the drainage
will occur in the vertical direction only and the drainage in lateral direction is neglected. This
consolidation is called 1-D consolidation or K0 consolidation.
How to determine preconsolidation pressure in the laboratory?
Problem:
Find the settlement due to consolidation of a 9ft Х 9ft column foundation with a
load of 500 lbs. the foundation is placed 3ft below the top surface. There is a sand
layer underneath the clay layer. Groundwater is present 4ft below ground level,
and a 10ft sand layer is on top of the clay 15ft layer. The density of the clay layer
is 115lbs/ft3, the compression index of the clay layer is 0.32, and the initial void
ratio of the clay is 0.80. Assume that the pressure is distributed at a 2:1 ration and
the clay is normally consolidated.

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