one dimensional consolidation test
DESCRIPTION
An insight to the One dimension consolidation test. The processes is summarized from the book "Soil Mechanics and Foundations" by Punmia et al. It defines the process to calculate Voids ratio and associated coefficient of volume change, coefficient of consolidation and coefficient of permeability. The Height of solids method is used here.TRANSCRIPT
ONE DIMENSIONAL CONSOLIDATION TEST
A small Insight
DECEMBER 22, 2015
One Dimension Consolidation Test
1 Azaz Ahmed
ONE DIMENSIONAL CONSOLIDATION TEST
To determine
Voids ratio and Coefficient of volume change
Coefficient of consolidation
Coefficient of permeability
1. VOIDS RATIO FOR APPLIED PRESSURE
Use the ‘Height of Solids Method’ for calculation of final void ratio at the end of each pressure
increment.
Calculation of Dial Change, ΔH
∆𝐻 = 𝐻𝑗 − 𝐻𝑖
Here Hj and Hi are the consecutive dial gauge readings.
Calculation of Height of solid specimen, Hs
𝐻𝑠 =𝑊𝑑
𝐺 × 𝐴
Here Wd is the weight of dried specimen, A is cross sectional area and G is the Specific Gravity
of soil.
Calculation of voids ratio, e at each pressure interval
𝑒 =𝐻 − 𝐻𝑠
𝐻𝑠
Table for Calculation of Voids ratio by height of solids method
Applied
Pressure σ’
(kN/m2)
Final Dial
Reading
(10-2mm)
Dial Change
ΔH
(mm)
Specimen
Height,
H=H1±ΔH(mm)
Height of Voids
H-Hs
(mm)
Voids ratio
𝑒 =𝐻 − 𝐻𝑠
𝐻𝑠
Remarks
0.0 10.0 20.0 50.0 100.0 200.0 400.0 600.0 800.0 0.0
*Applied Pressure, σ” should be in kN/m2.
One Dimension Consolidation Test
2 Azaz Ahmed
2. CALCULATION OF VOLUME CHANGE (THICKNESS METHOD)
The coefficient of volume change mv can be calculated as
𝑚𝑣 = −∆𝐻
𝐻𝑜×
1
∆𝜎′
*mv is expressed in m2/kN
3. COEFFICIENT OF CONSOLIDATION
Denoted as cv
Determined by comparing the characteristics of the theoretical relationship between Tv
and U to the relationship between elapsed time t and degree of consolidation of
specimen in laboratory.
Square root time fitting method is used
Tv is the constant known as time factor
U is the degree of consolidation expressed in percentage as U(%)
Square root of time fitting method
It consists of drawing the curve between root of time √𝑡 as abscissa and the dial reading R,
representing the compression of the specimen, as ordinate for any pressure increment in the
consolidation test.
Determination of coefficient of consolidation
Elapsed time
t (minutes)
Dial Reading
R (10-2) √𝑡
Prepare Time-Consolidation Curve from above table
Square root of time is plotted as abscissa
Dial reading is plotted as the ordinate
One Dimension Consolidation Test
3 Azaz Ahmed
Time Consolidation curve
Ro corresponds to the time t=0 and U=0
The curve is straight up to U(60%)
Abscissa at U(90%) is equal to 1.15 times the abscissa at U(60%)
The straight line portion (line A) is produced back to meet ordinate at Rc
Initial consolidation equals difference between Rc and Ro
Abscissa of line B equals 1.15 times of line A
Intersection of Line B with consolidation curve gives point P
Point P corresponds to U (90%) with designated dial readings as R90 and t90 respectively
d = average drainage path for the pressure increment
𝑑 =1
2× [
𝐻𝑖 + 𝐻𝑓2
]
One Dimension Consolidation Test
4 Azaz Ahmed
Time Factor (Tv)90 is obtained from table below
t90 is obtained from point P corresponding to U(90%)
Calculation of Coefficient of Consolidation
𝑐𝑣 =(𝑇𝑣)90𝑡90
× 𝑑2
4. COEFFICIENT OF PERMEABILITY
It is usually calculated as
𝑘 = 𝑐𝑣 ×𝑚𝑣 × 𝛾𝑤
Here k is the coefficient of permeability, cv is the coefficient of consolidation, mv is the
coefficient of volume change and γw is the unit weight of water.
REFERENCES
Punmia B.C., Jain A.K., and Jain A.K. “Soil Mechanics and Foundations” Laxmi Publications
(P) limited, ISBN: 81-7008-791-0, pp 339-394