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 = 75 kPasandγ = 17 kN/m³5.5 mclayγsat​ = 18 kN/m³Cc​ = 0.35, e0​ = 1.3510 mwater tableX

A 10 m thick normally consolidated clay layer (γsat = 18 kN/m³, Cc = 0.35, e₀ = 1.35) lies below 5.5 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 75 kPa. Treat the layer as one sublayer with the stresses at its mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

sand: Hs = 5.5 m, γ = 17 kN/m³clay: H = 10 m, γsat = 18 kN/m³γw = 9.81 kN/m³Cc = 0.35e0 = 1.35Δσ = 75 kPa
S = mm
2.Easy
Δσ = 105 kPasandγ = 18.5 kN/m³2.5 mclayγsat​ = 18 kN/m³Cc​ = 0.6, e0​ = 1.157 mwater tableX

A 7 m thick normally consolidated clay layer (γsat = 18 kN/m³, Cc = 0.6, e₀ = 1.15) lies below 2.5 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 105 kPa. Treat the layer as one sublayer with the stresses at its mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

sand: Hs = 2.5 m, γ = 18.5 kN/m³clay: H = 7 m, γsat = 18 kN/m³γw = 9.81 kN/m³Cc = 0.6e0 = 1.15Δσ = 105 kPa
S = mm
3.Medium
Δσ = 10 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.45, Cr​ = 0.02e0​ = 1.15σ′0​ = 80 kPaσ′p​ = 150 kPa7 mwater table

A 7 m thick overconsolidated clay layer has Cc = 0.45, Cr = 0.02 and e₀ = 1.15. At its mid-depth the effective vertical stress is 80 kPa and the preconsolidation pressure is 150 kPa. A new building adds 10 kPa of vertical stress at mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 7 mCc = 0.45Cr = 0.02e0 = 1.15σ′0 = 80 kPaσ′p = 150 kPaΔσ = 10 kPa
S = mm
4.Medium
Δσ = 160 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.35, Cr​ = 0.03e0​ = 1.2σ′0​ = 55 kPaσ′p​ = 95 kPa4 mwater table

A 4 m thick overconsolidated clay layer has Cc = 0.35, Cr = 0.03 and e₀ = 1.2. At its mid-depth the effective vertical stress is 55 kPa and the preconsolidation pressure is 95 kPa. A new building adds 160 kPa of vertical stress at mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 4 mCc = 0.35Cr = 0.03e0 = 1.2σ′0 = 55 kPaσ′p = 95 kPaΔσ = 160 kPa
S = mm
5.Hard
sandclayH = 4 mcv​ = 5 m²/year4 msandwater table

A clay layer 4 m thick has a coefficient of consolidation cv = 5 m²/year. It lies between two sand layers, so water drains out at the top and the bottom. For 60% average consolidation the time factor is Tv = 0.287. How many years t does the layer take to reach 60% consolidation?

H = 4 mcv = 5 m²/yearU = 60%Tv = 0.287double drainage
t = years
6.Hard
sandclayH = 5.5 mcv​ = 0.5 m²/year5.5 mimpervious rockwater table

A clay layer 5.5 m thick has a coefficient of consolidation cv = 0.5 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 = 5.5 mcv = 0.5 m²/yearU = 70%Tv = 0.403single drainage
t = years

Answer key

  1. 1. S = 286.7 mm
  2. 2. S = 743.3 mm
  3. 3. S = 3.331 mm
  4. 4. S = 238.7 mm
  5. 5. t = 0.2296 years
  6. 6. t = 24.38 years

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