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 = 120 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.4e0​ = 1.2σ′0​ = 80 kPa8 mwater table

An 8 m thick layer of normally consolidated clay (Cc = 0.4, e₀ = 1.2) has an effective vertical stress of 80 kPa at its mid-depth. A wide fill raises the vertical stress in the clay by 120 kPa. Treat the layer as one sublayer with the stresses at its mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 8 mCc = 0.4e0 = 1.2σ′0 = 80 kPaΔσ = 120 kPa
S = mm
2.Easy
Δσ = 150 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.2e0​ = 1.3σ′0​ = 150 kPa5 mwater table

A 5 m thick layer of normally consolidated clay (Cc = 0.2, e₀ = 1.3) has an effective vertical stress of 150 kPa at its mid-depth. A wide fill raises the vertical stress in the clay by 150 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 = 0.2e0 = 1.3σ′0 = 150 kPaΔσ = 150 kPa
S = mm
3.Medium
Δσ = 190 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.2, Cr​ = 0.03e0​ = 0.8σ′0​ = 50 kPaOCR = 1.55.5 mwater table

A 5.5 m thick overconsolidated clay layer has Cc = 0.2, Cr = 0.03 and e₀ = 0.8. At its mid-depth the effective vertical stress is 50 kPa and the overconsolidation ratio is OCR = 1.5. A new building adds 190 kPa of vertical stress at mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 5.5 mCc = 0.2Cr = 0.03e0 = 0.8σ′0 = 50 kPaOCR = 1.5Δσ = 190 kPa
S = mm
4.Medium
Δσ = 20 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.35, Cr​ = 0.05e0​ = 0.65σ′0​ = 50 kPaσ′p​ = 80 kPa2.5 mwater table

A 2.5 m thick overconsolidated clay layer has Cc = 0.35, Cr = 0.05 and e₀ = 0.65. At its mid-depth the effective vertical stress is 50 kPa and the preconsolidation pressure is 80 kPa. A new building adds 20 kPa of vertical stress at mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 2.5 mCc = 0.35Cr = 0.05e0 = 0.65σ′0 = 50 kPaσ′p = 80 kPaΔσ = 20 kPa
S = mm
5.Hard
sandclayH = 8 m8 mimpervious rockwater table

In a laboratory oedometer test, a clay specimen 19 mm thick, drained at the top and bottom, reaches 50% consolidation in 6 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 = 19 mmtlab = 6 minH = 8 mfield: single drainage
t = days
6.Hard
sandclayH = 6 m6 msandwater table

In a laboratory oedometer test, a clay specimen 25 mm thick, drained at the top and bottom, reaches 50% consolidation in 8 min. In the field the same clay forms a layer 6 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 = 25 mmtlab = 8 minH = 6 mfield: double drainage
t = days

Answer key

  1. 1. S = 578.8 mm
  2. 2. S = 130.9 mm
  3. 3. S = 324.8 mm
  4. 4. S = 11.07 mm
  5. 5. t = 2955 days
  6. 6. t = 320 days

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