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​ = 1.1σ′0​ = 150 kPa2 mwater table

A 2 m thick layer of normally consolidated clay (Cc = 0.6, e₀ = 1.1) has an effective vertical stress of 150 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 = 2 mCc = 0.6e0 = 1.1σ′0 = 150 kPaΔσ = 60 kPa
S = mm
2.Easy
Δσ = 40 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.15e0​ = 0.65σ′0​ = 145 kPa6 mwater table

A 6 m thick layer of normally consolidated clay (Cc = 0.15, e₀ = 0.65) has an effective vertical stress of 145 kPa at its mid-depth. A wide fill raises the vertical stress in the clay by 40 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 = 0.65σ′0 = 145 kPaΔσ = 40 kPa
S = mm
3.Medium
Δσ = 190 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.5, Cr​ = 0.06e0​ = 1.05σ′0​ = 100 kPaσ′p​ = 140 kPa3.5 mwater table

A 3.5 m thick overconsolidated clay layer has Cc = 0.5, Cr = 0.06 and e₀ = 1.05. At its mid-depth the effective vertical stress is 100 kPa and the preconsolidation pressure is 140 kPa. A new building adds 190 kPa of vertical stress at mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 3.5 mCc = 0.5Cr = 0.06e0 = 1.05σ′0 = 100 kPaσ′p = 140 kPaΔσ = 190 kPa
S = mm
4.Medium
Δσ = 80 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.4, Cr​ = 0.03e0​ = 0.85σ′0​ = 70 kPaOCR = 2.56 mwater table

A 6 m thick overconsolidated clay layer has Cc = 0.4, Cr = 0.03 and e₀ = 0.85. At its mid-depth the effective vertical stress is 70 kPa and the overconsolidation ratio is OCR = 2.5. A new building adds 80 kPa of vertical stress at mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 6 mCc = 0.4Cr = 0.03e0 = 0.85σ′0 = 70 kPaOCR = 2.5Δσ = 80 kPa
S = mm
5.Hard
sandclayH = 9.5 mcv​ = 2 m²/year9.5 msandwater table

A clay layer 9.5 m thick has a coefficient of consolidation cv = 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 = 9.5 mcv = 2 m²/yearU = 60%Tv = 0.287double drainage
t = years
6.Hard
sandclayH = 3.5 mcv​ = 1.5 m²/year3.5 msandwater table

A clay layer 3.5 m thick has a coefficient of consolidation cv = 1.5 m²/year. It lies between two sand layers, so water drains out at the top and the bottom. For 90% average consolidation the time factor is Tv = 0.848. How many years t does the layer take to reach 90% consolidation?

H = 3.5 mcv = 1.5 m²/yearU = 90%Tv = 0.848double drainage
t = years

Answer key

  1. 1. S = 83.5 mm
  2. 2. S = 57.71 mm
  3. 3. S = 285 mm
  4. 4. S = 32.2 mm
  5. 5. t = 3.238 years
  6. 6. t = 1.731 years

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