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 = 90 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.35e0​ = 0.85σ′0​ = 130 kPa5.5 mwater table

A 5.5 m thick layer of normally consolidated clay (Cc = 0.35, e₀ = 0.85) has an effective vertical stress of 130 kPa at its mid-depth. A wide fill raises the vertical stress in the clay by 90 kPa. Treat the layer as one sublayer with the stresses at its mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 5.5 mCc = 0.35e0 = 0.85σ′0 = 130 kPaΔσ = 90 kPa
S = mm
2.Easy
Δσ = 80 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.4e0​ = 0.7σ′0​ = 60 kPa2.5 mwater table

A 2.5 m thick layer of normally consolidated clay (Cc = 0.4, e₀ = 0.7) has an effective vertical stress of 60 kPa at its mid-depth. A wide fill raises the vertical stress in 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.

H = 2.5 mCc = 0.4e0 = 0.7σ′0 = 60 kPaΔσ = 80 kPa
S = mm
3.Medium
Δσ = 30 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.3, Cr​ = 0.04e0​ = 0.8σ′0​ = 70 kPaOCR = 1.54 mwater table

A 4 m thick overconsolidated clay layer has Cc = 0.3, Cr = 0.04 and e₀ = 0.8. At its mid-depth the effective vertical stress is 70 kPa and the overconsolidation ratio is OCR = 1.5. A new building adds 30 kPa of vertical stress at mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 4 mCc = 0.3Cr = 0.04e0 = 0.8σ′0 = 70 kPaOCR = 1.5Δσ = 30 kPa
S = mm
4.Medium
Δσ = 190 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.2, Cr​ = 0.04e0​ = 0.7σ′0​ = 50 kPaOCR = 2.54.5 mwater table

A 4.5 m thick overconsolidated clay layer has Cc = 0.2, Cr = 0.04 and e₀ = 0.7. At its mid-depth the effective vertical stress is 50 kPa and the overconsolidation ratio is OCR = 2.5. A new building adds 190 kPa of vertical stress at mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 4.5 mCc = 0.2Cr = 0.04e0 = 0.7σ′0 = 50 kPaOCR = 2.5Δσ = 190 kPa
S = mm
5.Hard
sandclayH = 9 m9 msandwater table

In a laboratory oedometer test, a clay specimen 20 mm thick, drained at the top and bottom, reaches 50% consolidation in 12 min. In the field the same clay forms a layer 9 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 = 20 mmtlab = 12 minH = 9 mfield: double drainage
t = days
6.Hard
sandclayH = 5.5 m5.5 msandwater table

In a laboratory oedometer test, a clay specimen 20 mm thick, drained at the top and bottom, reaches 50% consolidation in 10 min. In the field the same clay forms a layer 5.5 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 = 20 mmtlab = 10 minH = 5.5 mfield: double drainage
t = days

Answer key

  1. 1. S = 237.7 mm
  2. 2. S = 216.5 mm
  3. 3. S = 13.77 mm
  4. 4. S = 192.1 mm
  5. 5. t = 1688 days
  6. 6. t = 525.2 days

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