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 = 130 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.15e0​ = 0.75σ′0​ = 75 kPa8.5 mwater table

An 8.5 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 130 kPa. Treat the layer as one sublayer with the stresses at its mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 8.5 mCc = 0.15e0 = 0.75σ′0 = 75 kPaΔσ = 130 kPa
S = mm
2.Easy
Δσ = 50 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.2e0​ = 1.15σ′0​ = 135 kPa3.5 mwater table

A 3.5 m thick layer of normally consolidated clay (Cc = 0.2, e₀ = 1.15) has an effective vertical stress of 135 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 = 3.5 mCc = 0.2e0 = 1.15σ′0 = 135 kPaΔσ = 50 kPa
S = mm
3.Medium
Δσ = 60 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.25, Cr​ = 0.03e0​ = 1.15σ′0​ = 45 kPaσ′p​ = 145 kPa7.5 mwater table

A 7.5 m thick overconsolidated clay layer has Cc = 0.25, Cr = 0.03 and e₀ = 1.15. At its mid-depth the effective vertical stress is 45 kPa and the preconsolidation pressure is 145 kPa. A new building adds 60 kPa of vertical stress at mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 7.5 mCc = 0.25Cr = 0.03e0 = 1.15σ′0 = 45 kPaσ′p = 145 kPaΔσ = 60 kPa
S = mm
4.Medium
Δσ = 85 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.4, Cr​ = 0.02e0​ = 0.95σ′0​ = 100 kPaσ′p​ = 210 kPa4 mwater table

A 4 m thick overconsolidated clay layer has Cc = 0.4, Cr = 0.02 and e₀ = 0.95. At its mid-depth the effective vertical stress is 100 kPa and the preconsolidation pressure is 210 kPa. A new building adds 85 kPa of vertical stress at mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 4 mCc = 0.4Cr = 0.02e0 = 0.95σ′0 = 100 kPaσ′p = 210 kPaΔσ = 85 kPa
S = mm
5.Hard
sandclayH = 3.5 mcv​ = 1 m²/year3.5 msandwater table

A clay layer 3.5 m thick has a coefficient of consolidation cv = 1 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 = 3.5 mcv = 1 m²/yearU = 60%Tv = 0.287double drainage
t = years
6.Hard
sandclayH = 8.5 m8.5 msandwater table

In a laboratory oedometer test, a clay specimen 19 mm thick, drained at the top and bottom, reaches 50% consolidation in 4 min. In the field the same clay forms a layer 8.5 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 = 19 mmtlab = 4 minH = 8.5 mfield: double drainage
t = days

Answer key

  1. 1. S = 318.2 mm
  2. 2. S = 44.55 mm
  3. 3. S = 38.51 mm
  4. 4. S = 10.96 mm
  5. 5. t = 0.8789 years
  6. 6. t = 555.9 days

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