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 = 120 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.6e0​ = 1.25σ′0​ = 75 kPa6 mwater table

A 6 m thick layer of normally consolidated clay (Cc = 0.6, e₀ = 1.25) has an effective vertical stress of 75 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 = 6 mCc = 0.6e0 = 1.25σ′0 = 75 kPaΔσ = 120 kPa
S = mm
2.Easy
Δσ = 120 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.35e0​ = 0.95σ′0​ = 105 kPa7.5 mwater table

A 7.5 m thick layer of normally consolidated clay (Cc = 0.35, e₀ = 0.95) has an effective vertical stress of 105 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 = 7.5 mCc = 0.35e0 = 0.95σ′0 = 105 kPaΔσ = 120 kPa
S = mm
3.Medium
Δσ = 20 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.45, Cr​ = 0.05e0​ = 1.15σ′0​ = 70 kPaσ′p​ = 100 kPa3.5 mwater table

A 3.5 m thick overconsolidated clay layer has Cc = 0.45, Cr = 0.05 and e₀ = 1.15. At its mid-depth the effective vertical stress is 70 kPa and the preconsolidation pressure is 100 kPa. A new building adds 20 kPa of vertical stress at mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 3.5 mCc = 0.45Cr = 0.05e0 = 1.15σ′0 = 70 kPaσ′p = 100 kPaΔσ = 20 kPa
S = mm
4.Medium
Δσ = 130 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.45, Cr​ = 0.06e0​ = 0.8σ′0​ = 80 kPaσ′p​ = 200 kPa5.5 mwater table

A 5.5 m thick overconsolidated clay layer has Cc = 0.45, Cr = 0.06 and e₀ = 0.8. At its mid-depth the effective vertical stress is 80 kPa and the preconsolidation pressure is 200 kPa. A new building adds 130 kPa of vertical stress at mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 5.5 mCc = 0.45Cr = 0.06e0 = 0.8σ′0 = 80 kPaσ′p = 200 kPaΔσ = 130 kPa
S = mm
5.Hard
sandclayH = 7.5 mcv​ = 0.8 m²/year7.5 mimpervious rockwater table

A clay layer 7.5 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 50% average consolidation the time factor is Tv = 0.197. How many years t does the layer take to reach 50% consolidation?

H = 7.5 mcv = 0.8 m²/yearU = 50%Tv = 0.197single drainage
t = years
6.Hard
sandclayH = 6.5 m6.5 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 6.5 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 = 19 mmtlab = 15 minH = 6.5 mfield: single drainage
t = days

Answer key

  1. 1. S = 664 mm
  2. 2. S = 445.6 mm
  3. 3. S = 8.884 mm
  4. 4. S = 102.1 mm
  5. 5. t = 13.85 years
  6. 6. t = 4877 days

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