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.

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 = 125 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.35e0​ = 0.9σ′0​ = 75 kPa7 mwater table

A 7 m thick layer of normally consolidated clay (Cc = 0.35, e₀ = 0.9) has an effective vertical stress of 75 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 = 7 mCc = 0.35e0 = 0.9σ′0 = 75 kPaΔσ = 125 kPa
S = mm
2.Easy
Δσ = 70 kPasandγ = 18.5 kN/m³3 mclayγsat​ = 19 kN/m³Cc​ = 0.6, e0​ = 1.256 mwater tableX

A 6 m thick normally consolidated clay layer (γsat = 19 kN/m³, Cc = 0.6, e₀ = 1.25) lies below 3 m of sand (γ = 18.5 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 70 kPa. Treat the layer as one sublayer with the stresses at its mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

sand: Hs = 3 m, γ = 18.5 kN/m³clay: H = 6 m, γsat = 19 kN/m³γw = 9.81 kN/m³Cc = 0.6e0 = 1.25Δσ = 70 kPa
S = mm
3.Medium
Δσ = 170 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.25, Cr​ = 0.06e0​ = 1.1σ′0​ = 105 kPaσ′p​ = 215 kPa5.5 mwater table

A 5.5 m thick overconsolidated clay layer has Cc = 0.25, Cr = 0.06 and e₀ = 1.1. At its mid-depth the effective vertical stress is 105 kPa and the preconsolidation pressure is 215 kPa. A new building adds 170 kPa of vertical stress at mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 5.5 mCc = 0.25Cr = 0.06e0 = 1.1σ′0 = 105 kPaσ′p = 215 kPaΔσ = 170 kPa
S = mm
4.Medium
Δσ = 140 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.3, Cr​ = 0.06e0​ = 0.7σ′0​ = 90 kPaσ′p​ = 130 kPa2.5 mwater table

A 2.5 m thick overconsolidated clay layer has Cc = 0.3, Cr = 0.06 and e₀ = 0.7. At its mid-depth the effective vertical stress is 90 kPa and the preconsolidation pressure is 130 kPa. A new building adds 140 kPa of vertical stress at mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 2.5 mCc = 0.3Cr = 0.06e0 = 0.7σ′0 = 90 kPaσ′p = 130 kPaΔσ = 140 kPa
S = mm
5.Hard
sandclayH = 3 mcv​ = 2 m²/year3 mimpervious rockwater table

A clay layer 3 m thick has a coefficient of consolidation cv = 2 m²/year. It lies on impervious rock, with sand above it, so water drains out only at the top. For 70% average consolidation the time factor is Tv = 0.403. How many years t does the layer take to reach 70% consolidation?

H = 3 mcv = 2 m²/yearU = 70%Tv = 0.403single drainage
t = years
6.Hard
sandclayH = 5 m5 msandwater table

In a laboratory oedometer test, a clay specimen 20 mm thick, drained at the top and bottom, reaches 50% consolidation in 15 min. In the field the same clay forms a layer 5 m thick. It lies between two sand layers, so water drains out at the top and the bottom. How many days t does the field layer take to reach 50% consolidation?

hlab = 20 mmtlab = 15 minH = 5 mfield: double drainage
t = days

Answer key

  1. 1. S = 549.3 mm
  2. 2. S = 424.7 mm
  3. 3. S = 118.9 mm
  4. 4. S = 123.4 mm
  5. 5. t = 1.814 years
  6. 6. t = 651 days

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