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 = 55 kPasandγ = 17 kN/m³4.5 mclayγsat​ = 18.5 kN/m³Cc​ = 0.2, e0​ = 0.854 mwater tableX

A 4 m thick normally consolidated clay layer (γsat = 18.5 kN/m³, Cc = 0.2, e₀ = 0.85) lies below 4.5 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 55 kPa. Treat the layer as one sublayer with the stresses at its mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

sand: Hs = 4.5 m, γ = 17 kN/m³clay: H = 4 m, γsat = 18.5 kN/m³γw = 9.81 kN/m³Cc = 0.2e0 = 0.85Δσ = 55 kPa
S = mm
2.Easy
Δσ = 125 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.6e0​ = 1.25σ′0​ = 85 kPa5 mwater table

A 5 m thick layer of normally consolidated clay (Cc = 0.6, e₀ = 1.25) has an effective vertical stress of 85 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 = 5 mCc = 0.6e0 = 1.25σ′0 = 85 kPaΔσ = 125 kPa
S = mm
3.Medium
Δσ = 150 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.5, Cr​ = 0.05e0​ = 0.85σ′0​ = 75 kPaOCR = 23 mwater table

A 3 m thick overconsolidated clay layer has Cc = 0.5, Cr = 0.05 and e₀ = 0.85. At its mid-depth the effective vertical stress is 75 kPa and the overconsolidation ratio is OCR = 2. A new building adds 150 kPa of vertical stress at mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 3 mCc = 0.5Cr = 0.05e0 = 0.85σ′0 = 75 kPaOCR = 2Δσ = 150 kPa
S = mm
4.Medium
Δσ = 20 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.45, Cr​ = 0.05e0​ = 0.9σ′0​ = 95 kPaσ′p​ = 155 kPa6 mwater table

A 6 m thick overconsolidated clay layer has Cc = 0.45, Cr = 0.05 and e₀ = 0.9. At its mid-depth the effective vertical stress is 95 kPa and the preconsolidation pressure is 155 kPa. A new building adds 20 kPa of vertical stress at mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 6 mCc = 0.45Cr = 0.05e0 = 0.9σ′0 = 95 kPaσ′p = 155 kPaΔσ = 20 kPa
S = mm
5.Hard
sandclayH = 6 mcv​ = 3 m²/year6 msandwater table

A clay layer 6 m thick has a coefficient of consolidation cv = 3 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 = 6 mcv = 3 m²/yearU = 60%Tv = 0.287double drainage
t = years
6.Hard
sandclayH = 8.5 m8.5 mimpervious rockwater table

In a laboratory oedometer test, a clay specimen 19 mm thick, drained at the top and bottom, reaches 50% consolidation in 4 min. In the field the same clay forms a layer 8.5 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 = 4 minH = 8.5 mfield: single drainage
t = days

Answer key

  1. 1. S = 86.6 mm
  2. 2. S = 523.7 mm
  3. 3. S = 167.2 mm
  4. 4. S = 13.1 mm
  5. 5. t = 0.861 years
  6. 6. t = 2224 days

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