CONSOLIDATION TEST- (OEDOMETER TEST)

(IS 2720-PART-15-1986) Reaffirmed-2002

THEORY:

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 soil mass pertaining to its tendency to decrease in volume under
pressure is known as compressibility. In a saturated soil mass having its voids filled with incompressible water, decrease in
volume or compression can take place when water is expelled out of the voids. Such a compression resulting from a long-time
static load and the consequent escape of pore water is termed as consolidation. When the load is applied on the saturated soil
mass, the entire load is carried by pore water in the beginning. As the water begins escaping from the voids, the hydrostatic
pressure in water gets gradually dissipated and the load is shifted to the soil particles which increases effective stress on them,
as a result the soil mass decrease in volume. The rate of escape of water depends on the permeability of the soil.

NEED AND SCOPE:

This test simulates one dimensional primary consolidation with double drainage. The following parameters are determined
by conducting Consolidation test on fine grained soils:
a Pressure-void ratio relationship

b Compression and Recompression index

c. Coefficient of consolidation at various pressures
d. Preconsolidation pressure
e Degree of consolidation at any time
f. Rate of consolidation under vertical loads
The above information can be used to predict the time rate and extent of settlement of structures founded on fine-grained
soils. It is also helpful in analyzing the stress history of soil.

APPARATUS REQUIRED:
Consolidometer consisting essentially:
a) A ring of 60 mm diameter and 20 mm height
b) Two porous stones
c) Guide ring
d) Outer ring
e) Water jacket with base
) Pressure pad
2. Louding device consisting of frame, lever system, loading yoke, steel ball, dial gauge fixing device and weights
3. Dial gauge (accuracy of 0.01 mm), thermostatically controlled oven, stopwatch, sample extractor, balance, soil
trimming tools, spatula, filter papers, sample containers, wash bottle
SAMPLE PREPARATION:
1. Undisturbed sample:
From the sample tube (Shelby tube). eject the sample into the consolidation ring. The sample should project about one cm
from outer ring. Trim the sample smooth and lush with top and bottom of the ring by using wire saw. Clean the ring from
outside and keep it ready for weighing.
2. Remolded sample:
Choose the density and water content at which sample has to be compacted from the moisture-density curve, and
caleulate the quantity of soil and waler required to mix and compact.
b Compact the specimen in compaction mould in three layers using the standard rammers (moist tamping technique).
c. Eject the specimen from the mould using the sample extractor.

PROCEDURE:

1. Saturate two porous stones either by boiling in distilled water about 15 minute or by keeping them submerged in the
distilled water for 4 to 8 hrs. Fittings of the Consolidometer which is to be enclosed shall be moistened.
2. Assemble the Consolidometer, with the soil specimen and porous stones at top and bottom of specimen, and providing a
filter paper between the soil specimen and porous stone.
3. Position the pressure pad centrally on the top porous stone. Mount the mould assembly on the loading frame, and center it
such that the load applied is axial. Make sure that the porous stone and pressure pad are not touching the walls of mould
on their sides,
4. Position the dial gauge to measure the vertical compression of the specimen. The dial gauge holder should be set so that
the dial gauge is in the beginning of its releases run, and also allowing sufficient margin for the swelling of the soil, if any.
5. Fill the mould with water and apply an initial load to the assembly. The magnitude of this load should be chosen by trial,
such that there is no swelling. It should be not less than 0.05 kg/cm² for ordinary soils &0.025 kg/em² for very soft soils.
The load should be allowed to stand until there is no change in dial gauge readings for two consecutive hours or for a
maximum of 24 hours.

6. Note the final dial reading under the initial load. Apply first load of intensity 0.I kg/cm² (Approx.) and start the stop watch
simultaneously. Record the dial gauge readings at various time intervals. The dial gauge readings are taken until 90%
consolidation is reached. Primary consolidation is gradually reached within 24 hrs.
7 At the end of the period, specified above take the dial reading and time reading. Double the load intensity and take the dial
readings at various time intervals. Repeat this procedure for successive load increments. The usual loading intensity is as
follows (aupprox.): 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2,4 and 8 kg/em. Dial gauge reading with time should be recorded for each loading
increment.

8. On completion of the final loading stage, the specimen shall be unloaded by pressure decrements which decrease the load
to one-fourth of the last load. Dial gauge readings may be taken as necessary during each stage of unloading. If desired,
the time intervals used during the consolidation increments may be adopted; usually it is possible to proceed much more
rapidly (lIS 2720- Part 15).
9 In unloading phase, the load needs to be reduced in the reverse order and allow it to stand for Atleast 2 hrs or until the dial
gauge reading becomes constant. Take the final reading of the dial gauge.
10. Quickly dismantle the specimen assembly and remove the excess water on the soil specimen in oven, note its dry weight.

CALCULATIONS:

1. Height of solids (Hs) is calculated from the equation

Hs = Wy (Gs-Y«A)

2. Void ratio. Voids ratio at the end of various pressures are calculated from equation
e= (H-H)VHs

3. Coefficient of consolidation. The Coefficient of consolidation at each pressure increment is calculated by using the
following equations:
i, C,= 0.197 d²/tso (Log fitting method)
ii. C,=0.848 d/to (Square fitting method)

In the log fitting method, a plot is made between dial readings and logarithmic of time, and the time corresponding to 50%
consolidation is determined.

In the square root fitting method, a plot is made between dial readings and square root of time, and the time coresponding to
90% consolidation is determined. The values of Cy are recorded in Table II.

4. Compression Index. To determine the compression index, a plot of voids ratio (e) Vs log (t) is made. The virgin compression
curve would be a straight line and the slope of this line would give the compression index Ce.

5. Coefficient of compressibility. It is calculated as follows

ay = Ae Ag

Ae - Change in void ratio

Ao' - Change in vertical stress
6. Coefficient of permeability. It is calculated as follows
k=Cr.av.Ja/ (1 +eo).
GRAPHS:

1. Dial reading Vs log of time or

2. Dial reading Vs square root of time
3 Voids ratio (e) Vs effective vertical stress (loga')

General Remarks:

1. While preparing the specimen, attempts has to be made to have the soil strata orientated in the same direction in the
consolidation apparatus.
2. During trimming care should be taken in handling the soil specimen with least pressure.
3. Smaller increments of sequential loading have to be adopted for soft soils.
OBSERVATION AND READING (LOADING):
Tablel: Data Sheet for Consolidation Test: Time-Displacement Relationship
Ring Dimensions: Diameter (cm): Area (cm²): Height (cm):
Initial Data: Specimen Ht (cm).. Specific Gravity of Soil:
Weight of wet soil + Ring (g): Weight ofr Ring (g): Bulk Density (g/cc):

Pressure
0.1 0.2 0.5 2 4
Intensity
(Kg/em²)
Time (min)

0.25

15

30

2 hrs

4 hrs

8 hrs

24 hrs
OBSERVATION AND READING (UNLOADING):

Removed Pressure (kg/cm²) Retained Pressure (kg/cm²) Dial Gauge reading

0 8

2
- 4

0.5 0.5

0.3 0.2

0.1 0.1

0.1 0.05 (Seating pressure)

Water Content determination:

Weight of Saturated Sample + Ring (g):

Weight of oven dried soil +Ring (g):
Water Content (%):
Table II: Data Sheet for Consolidation Test: Pressure-Voids Ratio

Final Change in Final Height Average Height Coefficient of

Applied Height Void Fitting
Pressure
dial Specimen Specimen of
of voids ratio
during Consolidation,
Time, t
reading Height Height solids Consolidation

0.1

0.2

0.5

L0

2.0

4.0

8.0

2,0

).5

0.1