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 = 60 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.6e0​ = 1.15σ′0​ = 65 kPa5 mwater table

A 5 m thick layer of normally consolidated clay (Cc = 0.6, e₀ = 1.15) has an effective vertical stress of 65 kPa at its mid-depth. A wide fill raises the vertical stress in the clay by 60 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 = 1.15σ′0 = 65 kPaΔσ = 60 kPa
S = mm
2.Easy
Δσ = 125 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.15e0​ = 0.75σ′0​ = 75 kPa6 mwater table

A 6 m thick layer of normally consolidated clay (Cc = 0.15, e₀ = 0.75) has an effective vertical stress of 75 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 = 6 mCc = 0.15e0 = 0.75σ′0 = 75 kPaΔσ = 125 kPa
S = mm
3.Medium
Δσ = 150 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.25, Cr​ = 0.06e0​ = 1.15σ′0​ = 85 kPaOCR = 32.5 mwater table

A 2.5 m thick overconsolidated clay layer has Cc = 0.25, Cr = 0.06 and e₀ = 1.15. At its mid-depth the effective vertical stress is 85 kPa and the overconsolidation ratio is OCR = 3. A new building adds 150 kPa of vertical stress at mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 2.5 mCc = 0.25Cr = 0.06e0 = 1.15σ′0 = 85 kPaOCR = 3Δσ = 150 kPa
S = mm
4.Medium
Δσ = 50 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.35, Cr​ = 0.05e0​ = 0.8σ′0​ = 70 kPaOCR = 2.53.5 mwater table

A 3.5 m thick overconsolidated clay layer has Cc = 0.35, Cr = 0.05 and e₀ = 0.8. At its mid-depth the effective vertical stress is 70 kPa and the overconsolidation ratio is OCR = 2.5. A new building adds 50 kPa of vertical stress at mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 3.5 mCc = 0.35Cr = 0.05e0 = 0.8σ′0 = 70 kPaOCR = 2.5Δσ = 50 kPa
S = mm
5.Hard
sandclayH = 10 m10 msandwater table

In a laboratory oedometer test, a clay specimen 20 mm thick, drained at the top and bottom, reaches 50% consolidation in 4 min. In the field the same clay forms a layer 10 m thick. It lies between two sand layers, so water drains out at the top and the bottom. How many days t does the field layer take to reach 50% consolidation?

hlab = 20 mmtlab = 4 minH = 10 mfield: double drainage
t = days
6.Hard
sandclayH = 2.5 mcv​ = 5 m²/year2.5 msandwater table

A clay layer 2.5 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 70% average consolidation the time factor is Tv = 0.403. How many years t does the layer take to reach 70% consolidation?

H = 2.5 mcv = 5 m²/yearU = 70%Tv = 0.403double drainage
t = years

Answer key

  1. 1. S = 396.3 mm
  2. 2. S = 219.1 mm
  3. 3. S = 30.81 mm
  4. 4. S = 22.76 mm
  5. 5. t = 694.4 days
  6. 6. t = 0.1259 years

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