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 = 75 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.6e0​ = 1.3σ′0​ = 140 kPa6.5 mwater table

A 6.5 m thick layer of normally consolidated clay (Cc = 0.6, e₀ = 1.3) has an effective vertical stress of 140 kPa at its mid-depth. A wide fill raises the vertical stress in the clay by 75 kPa. Treat the layer as one sublayer with the stresses at its mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 6.5 mCc = 0.6e0 = 1.3σ′0 = 140 kPaΔσ = 75 kPa
S = mm
2.Easy
Δσ = 70 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.25e0​ = 1.3σ′0​ = 60 kPa6.5 mwater table

A 6.5 m thick layer of normally consolidated clay (Cc = 0.25, e₀ = 1.3) has an effective vertical stress of 60 kPa at its mid-depth. A wide fill raises the vertical stress in the clay by 70 kPa. Treat the layer as one sublayer with the stresses at its mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 6.5 mCc = 0.25e0 = 1.3σ′0 = 60 kPaΔσ = 70 kPa
S = mm
3.Medium
Δσ = 130 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.5, Cr​ = 0.03e0​ = 1.15σ′0​ = 95 kPaOCR = 1.57.5 mwater table

A 7.5 m thick overconsolidated clay layer has Cc = 0.5, Cr = 0.03 and e₀ = 1.15. At its mid-depth the effective vertical stress is 95 kPa and the overconsolidation ratio is OCR = 1.5. A new building adds 130 kPa of vertical stress at mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 7.5 mCc = 0.5Cr = 0.03e0 = 1.15σ′0 = 95 kPaOCR = 1.5Δσ = 130 kPa
S = mm
4.Medium
Δσ = 30 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.5, Cr​ = 0.04e0​ = 0.95σ′0​ = 120 kPaσ′p​ = 220 kPa6.5 mwater table

A 6.5 m thick overconsolidated clay layer has Cc = 0.5, Cr = 0.04 and e₀ = 0.95. At its mid-depth the effective vertical stress is 120 kPa and the preconsolidation pressure is 220 kPa. A new building adds 30 kPa of vertical stress at mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 6.5 mCc = 0.5Cr = 0.04e0 = 0.95σ′0 = 120 kPaσ′p = 220 kPaΔσ = 30 kPa
S = mm
5.Hard
sandclayH = 6.5 mcv​ = 1.2 m²/year6.5 msandwater table

A clay layer 6.5 m thick has a coefficient of consolidation cv = 1.2 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 = 6.5 mcv = 1.2 m²/yearU = 60%Tv = 0.287double drainage
t = years
6.Hard
sandclayH = 2 mcv​ = 0.5 m²/year2 msandwater table

A clay layer 2 m thick has a coefficient of consolidation cv = 0.5 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 = 2 mcv = 0.5 m²/yearU = 60%Tv = 0.287double drainage
t = years

Answer key

  1. 1. S = 315.9 mm
  2. 2. S = 237.2 mm
  3. 3. S = 364.4 mm
  4. 4. S = 12.92 mm
  5. 5. t = 2.526 years
  6. 6. t = 0.574 years

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