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 = 40 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.45e0​ = 1.2σ′0​ = 85 kPa4 mwater table

A 4 m thick layer of normally consolidated clay (Cc = 0.45, e₀ = 1.2) has an effective vertical stress of 85 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 = 4 mCc = 0.45e0 = 1.2σ′0 = 85 kPaΔσ = 40 kPa
S = mm
2.Easy
Δσ = 50 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.15e0​ = 0.65σ′0​ = 90 kPa6 mwater table

A 6 m thick layer of normally consolidated clay (Cc = 0.15, e₀ = 0.65) has an effective vertical stress of 90 kPa at its mid-depth. A wide fill raises the vertical stress in the clay by 50 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 = 90 kPaΔσ = 50 kPa
S = mm
3.Medium
Δσ = 120 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.5, Cr​ = 0.06e0​ = 0.75σ′0​ = 40 kPaOCR = 33 mwater table

A 3 m thick overconsolidated clay layer has Cc = 0.5, Cr = 0.06 and e₀ = 0.75. At its mid-depth the effective vertical stress is 40 kPa and the overconsolidation ratio is OCR = 3. A new building adds 120 kPa of vertical stress at mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 3 mCc = 0.5Cr = 0.06e0 = 0.75σ′0 = 40 kPaOCR = 3Δσ = 120 kPa
S = mm
4.Medium
Δσ = 90 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.2, Cr​ = 0.02e0​ = 0.9σ′0​ = 80 kPaσ′p​ = 130 kPa8 mwater table

An 8 m thick overconsolidated clay layer has Cc = 0.2, Cr = 0.02 and e₀ = 0.9. At its mid-depth the effective vertical stress is 80 kPa and the preconsolidation pressure is 130 kPa. A new building adds 90 kPa of vertical stress at mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 8 mCc = 0.2Cr = 0.02e0 = 0.9σ′0 = 80 kPaσ′p = 130 kPaΔσ = 90 kPa
S = mm
5.Hard
sandclayH = 4.5 m4.5 mimpervious rockwater table

In a laboratory oedometer test, a clay specimen 19 mm thick, drained at the top and bottom, reaches 50% consolidation in 12 min. In the field the same clay forms a layer 4.5 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 = 12 minH = 4.5 mfield: single drainage
t = days
6.Hard
sandclayH = 7.5 m7.5 mimpervious rockwater table

In a laboratory oedometer test, a clay specimen 25 mm thick, drained at the top and bottom, reaches 50% consolidation in 15 min. In the field the same clay forms a layer 7.5 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 = 15 minH = 7.5 mfield: single drainage
t = days

Answer key

  1. 1. S = 137 mm
  2. 2. S = 104.7 mm
  3. 3. S = 156.2 mm
  4. 4. S = 115.9 mm
  5. 5. t = 1870 days
  6. 6. t = 3750 days

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