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 = 115 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.3e0​ = 0.95σ′0​ = 110 kPa7.5 mwater table

A 7.5 m thick layer of normally consolidated clay (Cc = 0.3, 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 115 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 = 0.95σ′0 = 110 kPaΔσ = 115 kPa
S = mm
2.Easy
Δσ = 55 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.4e0​ = 1σ′0​ = 85 kPa3.5 mwater table

A 3.5 m thick layer of normally consolidated clay (Cc = 0.4, e₀ = 1) has an effective vertical stress of 85 kPa at its mid-depth. A wide fill raises the vertical stress in 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.

H = 3.5 mCc = 0.4e0 = 1σ′0 = 85 kPaΔσ = 55 kPa
S = mm
3.Medium
Δσ = 45 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.5, Cr​ = 0.06e0​ = 0.6σ′0​ = 115 kPaσ′p​ = 165 kPa2.5 mwater table

A 2.5 m thick overconsolidated clay layer has Cc = 0.5, Cr = 0.06 and e₀ = 0.6. At its mid-depth the effective vertical stress is 115 kPa and the preconsolidation pressure is 165 kPa. A new building adds 45 kPa of vertical stress at mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 2.5 mCc = 0.5Cr = 0.06e0 = 0.6σ′0 = 115 kPaσ′p = 165 kPaΔσ = 45 kPa
S = mm
4.Medium
Δσ = 170 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.4, Cr​ = 0.03e0​ = 0.65σ′0​ = 85 kPaσ′p​ = 115 kPa6.5 mwater table

A 6.5 m thick overconsolidated clay layer has Cc = 0.4, Cr = 0.03 and e₀ = 0.65. At its mid-depth the effective vertical stress is 85 kPa and the preconsolidation pressure is 115 kPa. A new building adds 170 kPa of vertical stress at mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 6.5 mCc = 0.4Cr = 0.03e0 = 0.65σ′0 = 85 kPaσ′p = 115 kPaΔσ = 170 kPa
S = mm
5.Hard
sandclayH = 8 m8 mimpervious rockwater table

In a laboratory oedometer test, a clay specimen 25 mm thick, drained at the top and bottom, reaches 50% consolidation in 10 min. In the field the same clay forms a layer 8 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 = 25 mmtlab = 10 minH = 8 mfield: single drainage
t = days
6.Hard
sandclayH = 8 mcv​ = 1 m²/year8 mimpervious rockwater table

A clay layer 8 m thick has a coefficient of consolidation cv = 1 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 = 8 mcv = 1 m²/yearU = 50%Tv = 0.197single drainage
t = years

Answer key

  1. 1. S = 358.6 mm
  2. 2. S = 151.7 mm
  3. 3. S = 13.45 mm
  4. 4. S = 560.5 mm
  5. 5. t = 2844 days
  6. 6. t = 12.61 years

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