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 = 80 kPasandγ = 17.5 kN/m³3.5 mclayγsat​ = 19.5 kN/m³Cc​ = 0.3, e0​ = 1.18 mwater tableX

An 8 m thick normally consolidated clay layer (γsat = 19.5 kN/m³, Cc = 0.3, e₀ = 1.1) lies below 3.5 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 80 kPa. Treat the layer as one sublayer with the stresses at its mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

sand: Hs = 3.5 m, γ = 17.5 kN/m³clay: H = 8 m, γsat = 19.5 kN/m³γw = 9.81 kN/m³Cc = 0.3e0 = 1.1Δσ = 80 kPa
S = mm
2.Easy
Δσ = 80 kPasandγ = 17.5 kN/m³5.5 mclayγsat​ = 18 kN/m³Cc​ = 0.3, e0​ = 1.058 mwater tableX

An 8 m thick normally consolidated clay layer (γsat = 18 kN/m³, Cc = 0.3, e₀ = 1.05) lies below 5.5 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 80 kPa. Treat the layer as one sublayer with the stresses at its mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

sand: Hs = 5.5 m, γ = 17.5 kN/m³clay: H = 8 m, γsat = 18 kN/m³γw = 9.81 kN/m³Cc = 0.3e0 = 1.05Δσ = 80 kPa
S = mm
3.Medium
Δσ = 130 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.25, Cr​ = 0.03e0​ = 0.95σ′0​ = 80 kPaOCR = 23 mwater table

A 3 m thick overconsolidated clay layer has Cc = 0.25, Cr = 0.03 and e₀ = 0.95. At its mid-depth the effective vertical stress is 80 kPa and the overconsolidation ratio is OCR = 2. A new building adds 130 kPa of vertical stress at mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 3 mCc = 0.25Cr = 0.03e0 = 0.95σ′0 = 80 kPaOCR = 2Δσ = 130 kPa
S = mm
4.Medium
Δσ = 90 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.2, Cr​ = 0.02e0​ = 1.2σ′0​ = 70 kPaσ′p​ = 190 kPa8 mwater table

An 8 m thick overconsolidated clay layer has Cc = 0.2, Cr = 0.02 and e₀ = 1.2. At its mid-depth the effective vertical stress is 70 kPa and the preconsolidation pressure is 190 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 = 1.2σ′0 = 70 kPaσ′p = 190 kPaΔσ = 90 kPa
S = mm
5.Hard
sandclayH = 10 mcv​ = 0.5 m²/year10 msandwater table

A clay layer 10 m thick has a coefficient of consolidation cv = 0.5 m²/year. It lies between two sand layers, so water drains out at the top and the bottom. For 80% average consolidation the time factor is Tv = 0.567. How many years t does the layer take to reach 80% consolidation?

H = 10 mcv = 0.5 m²/yearU = 80%Tv = 0.567double drainage
t = years
6.Hard
sandclayH = 4 m4 msandwater table

In a laboratory oedometer test, a clay specimen 25 mm thick, drained at the top and bottom, reaches 50% consolidation in 4 min. In the field the same clay forms a layer 4 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 = 4 minH = 4 mfield: double drainage
t = days

Answer key

  1. 1. S = 291.7 mm
  2. 2. S = 245.3 mm
  3. 3. S = 59.32 mm
  4. 4. S = 26.11 mm
  5. 5. t = 28.35 years
  6. 6. t = 71.11 days

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