A 6 m thick layer of normally consolidated clay (Cc = 0.5, e₀ = 1.3) has an effective vertical stress of 70 kPa at its mid-depth. A wide fill raises the vertical stress in the clay by 20 kPa. Treat the layer as one sublayer with the stresses at its mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.
Consolidation settlement worksheet with answers
A 9.5 m thick layer of normally consolidated clay (Cc = 0.4, e₀ = 1) has an effective vertical stress of 130 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.
A 7.5 m thick overconsolidated clay layer has Cc = 0.4, Cr = 0.02 and e₀ = 0.8. At its mid-depth the effective vertical stress is 100 kPa and the preconsolidation pressure is 190 kPa. A new building adds 65 kPa of vertical stress at mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.
A 6.5 m thick overconsolidated clay layer has Cc = 0.2, Cr = 0.05 and e₀ = 1.05. At its mid-depth the effective vertical stress is 70 kPa and the preconsolidation pressure is 160 kPa. A new building adds 210 kPa of vertical stress at mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.
In a laboratory oedometer test, a clay specimen 19 mm thick, drained at the top and bottom, reaches 50% consolidation in 10 min. In the field the same clay forms a layer 7.5 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?
In a laboratory oedometer test, a clay specimen 25 mm thick, drained at the top and bottom, reaches 50% consolidation in 12 min. In the field the same clay forms a layer 7 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?
Answer key
- 1. S = 142.4 mm
- 2. S = 555.9 mm
- 3. S = 18.12 mm
- 4. S = 211 mm
- 5. t = 1082 days
- 6. t = 2613 days
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