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 = 25 kPasandγ = 17.5 kN/m³4.5 mclayγsat​ = 18.5 kN/m³Cc​ = 0.4, e0​ = 1.34 mwater tableX

A 4 m thick normally consolidated clay layer (γsat = 18.5 kN/m³, Cc = 0.4, e₀ = 1.3) lies below 4.5 m of sand (γ = 17.5 kN/m³). The water table is at the top of the clay; use γw = 9.81 kN/m³. A wide fill raises the vertical stress throughout the clay by 25 kPa. Treat the layer as one sublayer with the stresses at its mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

sand: Hs = 4.5 m, γ = 17.5 kN/m³clay: H = 4 m, γsat = 18.5 kN/m³γw = 9.81 kN/m³Cc = 0.4e0 = 1.3Δσ = 25 kPa
S = mm
2.Easy
Δσ = 125 kPasandγ = 17 kN/m³3 mclayγsat​ = 17.5 kN/m³Cc​ = 0.45, e0​ = 1.35 mwater tableX

A 5 m thick normally consolidated clay layer (γsat = 17.5 kN/m³, Cc = 0.45, e₀ = 1.3) lies below 3 m of sand (γ = 17 kN/m³). The water table is at the top of the clay; use γw = 9.81 kN/m³. A wide fill raises the vertical stress throughout the clay by 125 kPa. Treat the layer as one sublayer with the stresses at its mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

sand: Hs = 3 m, γ = 17 kN/m³clay: H = 5 m, γsat = 17.5 kN/m³γw = 9.81 kN/m³Cc = 0.45e0 = 1.3Δσ = 125 kPa
S = mm
3.Medium
Δσ = 30 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.25, Cr​ = 0.02e0​ = 0.95σ′0​ = 85 kPaOCR = 32.5 mwater table

A 2.5 m thick overconsolidated clay layer has Cc = 0.25, Cr = 0.02 and e₀ = 0.95. At its mid-depth the effective vertical stress is 85 kPa and the overconsolidation ratio is OCR = 3. A new building adds 30 kPa of vertical stress at mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 2.5 mCc = 0.25Cr = 0.02e0 = 0.95σ′0 = 85 kPaOCR = 3Δσ = 30 kPa
S = mm
4.Medium
Δσ = 160 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.25, Cr​ = 0.03e0​ = 1.05σ′0​ = 55 kPaσ′p​ = 155 kPa7.5 mwater table

A 7.5 m thick overconsolidated clay layer has Cc = 0.25, Cr = 0.03 and e₀ = 1.05. At its mid-depth the effective vertical stress is 55 kPa and the preconsolidation pressure is 155 kPa. A new building adds 160 kPa of vertical stress at mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 7.5 mCc = 0.25Cr = 0.03e0 = 1.05σ′0 = 55 kPaσ′p = 155 kPaΔσ = 160 kPa
S = mm
5.Hard
sandclayH = 4.5 mcv​ = 0.8 m²/year4.5 msandwater table

A clay layer 4.5 m thick has a coefficient of consolidation cv = 0.8 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 = 4.5 mcv = 0.8 m²/yearU = 90%Tv = 0.848double drainage
t = years
6.Hard
sandclayH = 3 m3 mimpervious rockwater table

In a laboratory oedometer test, a clay specimen 19 mm thick, drained at the top and bottom, reaches 50% consolidation in 5 min. In the field the same clay forms a layer 3 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 = 5 minH = 3 mfield: single drainage
t = days

Answer key

  1. 1. S = 69.84 mm
  2. 2. S = 434.4 mm
  3. 3. S = 3.366 mm
  4. 4. S = 179.4 mm
  5. 5. t = 5.366 years
  6. 6. t = 346.3 days

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