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 = 65 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.2e0​ = 0.95σ′0​ = 110 kPa5.5 mwater table

A 5.5 m thick layer of normally consolidated clay (Cc = 0.2, e₀ = 0.95) has an effective vertical stress of 110 kPa at its mid-depth. A wide fill raises the vertical stress in the clay by 65 kPa. Treat the layer as one sublayer with the stresses at its mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 5.5 mCc = 0.2e0 = 0.95σ′0 = 110 kPaΔσ = 65 kPa
S = mm
2.Easy
Δσ = 145 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.3e0​ = 1.35σ′0​ = 120 kPa7.5 mwater table

A 7.5 m thick layer of normally consolidated clay (Cc = 0.3, e₀ = 1.35) has an effective vertical stress of 120 kPa at its mid-depth. A wide fill raises the vertical stress in the clay by 145 kPa. Treat the layer as one sublayer with the stresses at its mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 7.5 mCc = 0.3e0 = 1.35σ′0 = 120 kPaΔσ = 145 kPa
S = mm
3.Medium
Δσ = 150 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.35, Cr​ = 0.03e0​ = 0.95σ′0​ = 65 kPaσ′p​ = 115 kPa5.5 mwater table

A 5.5 m thick overconsolidated clay layer has Cc = 0.35, Cr = 0.03 and e₀ = 0.95. At its mid-depth the effective vertical stress is 65 kPa and the preconsolidation pressure is 115 kPa. A new building adds 150 kPa of vertical stress at mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 5.5 mCc = 0.35Cr = 0.03e0 = 0.95σ′0 = 65 kPaσ′p = 115 kPaΔσ = 150 kPa
S = mm
4.Medium
Δσ = 190 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.35, Cr​ = 0.03e0​ = 0.7σ′0​ = 110 kPaOCR = 2.57 mwater table

A 7 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 110 kPa and the overconsolidation ratio is OCR = 2.5. A new building adds 190 kPa of vertical stress at mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 7 mCc = 0.35Cr = 0.03e0 = 0.7σ′0 = 110 kPaOCR = 2.5Δσ = 190 kPa
S = mm
5.Hard
sandclayH = 9 m9 mimpervious rockwater table

In a laboratory oedometer test, a clay specimen 19 mm thick, drained at the top and bottom, reaches 50% consolidation in 15 min. In the field the same clay forms a layer 9 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 = 19 mmtlab = 15 minH = 9 mfield: single drainage
t = days
6.Hard
sandclayH = 8 mcv​ = 0.8 m²/year8 mimpervious rockwater table

A clay layer 8 m thick has a coefficient of consolidation cv = 0.8 m²/year. It lies on impervious rock, with sand above it, so water drains out only at the top. For 90% average consolidation the time factor is Tv = 0.848. How many years t does the layer take to reach 90% consolidation?

H = 8 mcv = 0.8 m²/yearU = 90%Tv = 0.848single drainage
t = years

Answer key

  1. 1. S = 113.7 mm
  2. 2. S = 329.4 mm
  3. 3. S = 289.2 mm
  4. 4. S = 103.6 mm
  5. 5. t = 9349 days
  6. 6. t = 67.84 years

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