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 = 140 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.45e0​ = 1.15σ′0​ = 65 kPa2 mwater table

A 2 m thick layer of normally consolidated clay (Cc = 0.45, e₀ = 1.15) has an effective vertical stress of 65 kPa at its mid-depth. A wide fill raises the vertical stress in the clay by 140 kPa. Treat the layer as one sublayer with the stresses at its mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 2 mCc = 0.45e0 = 1.15σ′0 = 65 kPaΔσ = 140 kPa
S = mm
2.Easy
Δσ = 110 kPasandγ = 19 kN/m³4 mclayγsat​ = 18.5 kN/m³Cc​ = 0.35, e0​ = 1.17 mwater tableX

A 7 m thick normally consolidated clay layer (γsat = 18.5 kN/m³, Cc = 0.35, e₀ = 1.1) lies below 4 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 110 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 m, γ = 19 kN/m³clay: H = 7 m, γsat = 18.5 kN/m³γw = 9.81 kN/m³Cc = 0.35e0 = 1.1Δσ = 110 kPa
S = mm
3.Medium
Δσ = 150 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.2, Cr​ = 0.04e0​ = 0.7σ′0​ = 60 kPaσ′p​ = 150 kPa2.5 mwater table

A 2.5 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 60 kPa and the preconsolidation pressure is 150 kPa. A new building adds 150 kPa of vertical stress at mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 2.5 mCc = 0.2Cr = 0.04e0 = 0.7σ′0 = 60 kPaσ′p = 150 kPaΔσ = 150 kPa
S = mm
4.Medium
Δσ = 75 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.4, Cr​ = 0.04e0​ = 1.15σ′0​ = 120 kPaσ′p​ = 200 kPa5.5 mwater table

A 5.5 m thick overconsolidated clay layer has Cc = 0.4, Cr = 0.04 and e₀ = 1.15. At its mid-depth the effective vertical stress is 120 kPa and the preconsolidation pressure is 200 kPa. A new building adds 75 kPa of vertical stress at mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 5.5 mCc = 0.4Cr = 0.04e0 = 1.15σ′0 = 120 kPaσ′p = 200 kPaΔσ = 75 kPa
S = mm
5.Hard
sandclayH = 4.5 m4.5 mimpervious rockwater table

In a laboratory oedometer test, a clay specimen 20 mm thick, drained at the top and bottom, reaches 50% consolidation in 15 min. In the field the same clay forms a layer 4.5 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 = 20 mmtlab = 15 minH = 4.5 mfield: single drainage
t = days
6.Hard
sandclayH = 9 m9 msandwater 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 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 = 19 mmtlab = 5 minH = 9 mfield: double drainage
t = days

Answer key

  1. 1. S = 208.8 mm
  2. 2. S = 359.7 mm
  3. 3. S = 66.39 mm
  4. 4. S = 21.58 mm
  5. 5. t = 2109 days
  6. 6. t = 779.1 days

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