Consolidation settlement worksheet with answers

Free printable Consolidation settlement worksheet: 6 problems from easy to exam level, with an answer key. Print it or save it as a PDF.

New worksheetPractise online with hints

For teachers: free to print, copy and use in class. Every new worksheet has new values and its own answer key. A link to ExamProblems on your course page is appreciated.

Name: ____________________   Date: ____________

1.Easy
Δσ = 40 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.3e0​ = 0.65σ′0​ = 50 kPa6 mwater table

A 6 m thick layer of normally consolidated clay (Cc = 0.3, e₀ = 0.65) has an effective vertical stress of 50 kPa at its mid-depth. A wide fill raises the vertical stress in the clay by 40 kPa. Treat the layer as one sublayer with the stresses at its mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 6 mCc = 0.3e0 = 0.65σ′0 = 50 kPaΔσ = 40 kPa
S = mm
2.Easy
Δσ = 35 kPasandγ = 17 kN/m³4.5 mclayγsat​ = 18.5 kN/m³Cc​ = 0.25, e0​ = 1.256 mwater tableX

A 6 m thick normally consolidated clay layer (γsat = 18.5 kN/m³, Cc = 0.25, e₀ = 1.25) lies below 4.5 m of sand (γ = 17 kN/m³). The water table is at the top of the clay; use γw = 9.81 kN/m³. A wide fill raises the vertical stress throughout the clay by 35 kPa. Treat the layer as one sublayer with the stresses at its mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

sand: Hs = 4.5 m, γ = 17 kN/m³clay: H = 6 m, γsat = 18.5 kN/m³γw = 9.81 kN/m³Cc = 0.25e0 = 1.25Δσ = 35 kPa
S = mm
3.Medium
Δσ = 25 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.45, Cr​ = 0.05e0​ = 0.7σ′0​ = 45 kPaσ′p​ = 165 kPa2 mwater table

A 2 m thick overconsolidated clay layer has Cc = 0.45, Cr = 0.05 and e₀ = 0.7. At its mid-depth the effective vertical stress is 45 kPa and the preconsolidation pressure is 165 kPa. A new building adds 25 kPa of vertical stress at mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 2 mCc = 0.45Cr = 0.05e0 = 0.7σ′0 = 45 kPaσ′p = 165 kPaΔσ = 25 kPa
S = mm
4.Medium
Δσ = 55 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.35, Cr​ = 0.03e0​ = 0.7σ′0​ = 75 kPaσ′p​ = 155 kPa5 mwater table

A 5 m thick overconsolidated clay layer has Cc = 0.35, Cr = 0.03 and e₀ = 0.7. At its mid-depth the effective vertical stress is 75 kPa and the preconsolidation pressure is 155 kPa. A new building adds 55 kPa of vertical stress at mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 5 mCc = 0.35Cr = 0.03e0 = 0.7σ′0 = 75 kPaσ′p = 155 kPaΔσ = 55 kPa
S = mm
5.Hard
sandclayH = 9.5 mcv​ = 0.8 m²/year9.5 msandwater table

A clay layer 9.5 m thick has a coefficient of consolidation cv = 0.8 m²/year. It lies between two sand layers, so water drains out at the top and the bottom. For 50% average consolidation the time factor is Tv = 0.197. How many years t does the layer take to reach 50% consolidation?

H = 9.5 mcv = 0.8 m²/yearU = 50%Tv = 0.197double drainage
t = years
6.Hard
sandclayH = 3.5 mcv​ = 2 m²/year3.5 msandwater table

A clay layer 3.5 m thick has a coefficient of consolidation cv = 2 m²/year. It lies between two sand layers, so water drains out at the top and the bottom. For 90% average consolidation the time factor is Tv = 0.848. How many years t does the layer take to reach 90% consolidation?

H = 3.5 mcv = 2 m²/yearU = 90%Tv = 0.848double drainage
t = years

Answer key

  1. 1. S = 278.5 mm
  2. 2. S = 85 mm
  3. 3. S = 11.29 mm
  4. 4. S = 21.08 mm
  5. 5. t = 5.556 years
  6. 6. t = 1.298 years

Full step-by-step solutions: practise this topic on examproblems.com.