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 = 30 kPasandγ = 17.5 kN/m³2.5 mclayγsat​ = 18 kN/m³Cc​ = 0.2, e0​ = 1.354 mwater tableX

A 4 m thick normally consolidated clay layer (γsat = 18 kN/m³, Cc = 0.2, e₀ = 1.35) lies below 2.5 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 30 kPa. Treat the layer as one sublayer with the stresses at its mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

sand: Hs = 2.5 m, γ = 17.5 kN/m³clay: H = 4 m, γsat = 18 kN/m³γw = 9.81 kN/m³Cc = 0.2e0 = 1.35Δσ = 30 kPa
S = mm
2.Easy
Δσ = 150 kPasandγ = 19 kN/m³2 mclayγsat​ = 18.5 kN/m³Cc​ = 0.6, e0​ = 0.99 mwater tableX

A 9 m thick normally consolidated clay layer (γsat = 18.5 kN/m³, Cc = 0.6, e₀ = 0.9) lies below 2 m of sand (γ = 19 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 150 kPa. Treat the layer as one sublayer with the stresses at its mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

sand: Hs = 2 m, γ = 19 kN/m³clay: H = 9 m, γsat = 18.5 kN/m³γw = 9.81 kN/m³Cc = 0.6e0 = 0.9Δσ = 150 kPa
S = mm
3.Medium
Δσ = 90 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.3, Cr​ = 0.03e0​ = 1.2σ′0​ = 50 kPaσ′p​ = 110 kPa3 mwater table

A 3 m thick overconsolidated clay layer has Cc = 0.3, Cr = 0.03 and e₀ = 1.2. At its mid-depth the effective vertical stress is 50 kPa and the preconsolidation pressure is 110 kPa. A new building adds 90 kPa of vertical stress at mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 3 mCc = 0.3Cr = 0.03e0 = 1.2σ′0 = 50 kPaσ′p = 110 kPaΔσ = 90 kPa
S = mm
4.Medium
Δσ = 80 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.4, Cr​ = 0.04e0​ = 1.1σ′0​ = 60 kPaσ′p​ = 120 kPa8 mwater table

An 8 m thick overconsolidated clay layer has Cc = 0.4, Cr = 0.04 and e₀ = 1.1. At its mid-depth the effective vertical stress is 60 kPa and the preconsolidation pressure is 120 kPa. A new building adds 80 kPa of vertical stress at mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 8 mCc = 0.4Cr = 0.04e0 = 1.1σ′0 = 60 kPaσ′p = 120 kPaΔσ = 80 kPa
S = mm
5.Hard
sandclayH = 9.5 mcv​ = 2.5 m²/year9.5 msandwater table

A clay layer 9.5 m thick has a coefficient of consolidation cv = 2.5 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 = 9.5 mcv = 2.5 m²/yearU = 60%Tv = 0.287double drainage
t = years
6.Hard
sandclayH = 9.5 m9.5 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 9.5 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 = 9.5 mfield: double drainage
t = days

Answer key

  1. 1. S = 59.84 mm
  2. 2. S = 1333 mm
  3. 3. S = 56.85 mm
  4. 4. S = 147.9 mm
  5. 5. t = 2.59 years
  6. 6. t = 694.4 days

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