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.

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1.Easy
Δσ = 125 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.2e0​ = 1.3σ′0​ = 140 kPa9 mwater table

A 9 m thick layer of normally consolidated clay (Cc = 0.2, e₀ = 1.3) has an effective vertical stress of 140 kPa at its mid-depth. A wide fill raises the vertical stress in the clay by 125 kPa. Treat the layer as one sublayer with the stresses at its mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 9 mCc = 0.2e0 = 1.3σ′0 = 140 kPaΔσ = 125 kPa
S = mm
2.Easy
Δσ = 120 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.45e0​ = 0.8σ′0​ = 140 kPa4 mwater table

A 4 m thick layer of normally consolidated clay (Cc = 0.45, e₀ = 0.8) has an effective vertical stress of 140 kPa at its mid-depth. A wide fill raises the vertical stress in the clay by 120 kPa. Treat the layer as one sublayer with the stresses at its mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 4 mCc = 0.45e0 = 0.8σ′0 = 140 kPaΔσ = 120 kPa
S = mm
3.Medium
Δσ = 170 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.35, Cr​ = 0.06e0​ = 0.65σ′0​ = 75 kPaσ′p​ = 115 kPa5 mwater table

A 5 m thick overconsolidated clay layer has Cc = 0.35, Cr = 0.06 and e₀ = 0.65. At its mid-depth the effective vertical stress is 75 kPa and the preconsolidation pressure is 115 kPa. A new building adds 170 kPa of vertical stress at mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 5 mCc = 0.35Cr = 0.06e0 = 0.65σ′0 = 75 kPaσ′p = 115 kPaΔσ = 170 kPa
S = mm
4.Medium
Δσ = 170 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.35, Cr​ = 0.06e0​ = 0.7σ′0​ = 110 kPaOCR = 2.52.5 mwater table

A 2.5 m thick overconsolidated clay layer has Cc = 0.35, Cr = 0.06 and e₀ = 0.7. At its mid-depth the effective vertical stress is 110 kPa and the overconsolidation ratio is OCR = 2.5. A new building adds 170 kPa of vertical stress at mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 2.5 mCc = 0.35Cr = 0.06e0 = 0.7σ′0 = 110 kPaOCR = 2.5Δσ = 170 kPa
S = mm
5.Hard
sandclayH = 3.5 m3.5 mimpervious rockwater table

In a laboratory oedometer test, a clay specimen 25 mm thick, drained at the top and bottom, reaches 50% consolidation in 10 min. In the field the same clay forms a layer 3.5 m thick. It lies on impervious rock, with sand above it, so water drains out only at the top. How many days t does the field layer take to reach 50% consolidation?

hlab = 25 mmtlab = 10 minH = 3.5 mfield: single drainage
t = days
6.Hard
sandclayH = 4.5 mcv​ = 0.8 m²/year4.5 msandwater table

A clay layer 4.5 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 = 4.5 mcv = 0.8 m²/yearU = 50%Tv = 0.197double drainage
t = years

Answer key

  1. 1. S = 216.9 mm
  2. 2. S = 268.8 mm
  3. 3. S = 382.1 mm
  4. 4. S = 39.14 mm
  5. 5. t = 544.4 days
  6. 6. t = 1.247 years

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