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 = 85 kPasandγ = 19 kN/m³2.5 mclayγsat​ = 18.5 kN/m³Cc​ = 0.45, e0​ = 0.853 mwater tableX

A 3 m thick normally consolidated clay layer (γsat = 18.5 kN/m³, Cc = 0.45, e₀ = 0.85) lies below 2.5 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 85 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 = 19 kN/m³clay: H = 3 m, γsat = 18.5 kN/m³γw = 9.81 kN/m³Cc = 0.45e0 = 0.85Δσ = 85 kPa
S = mm
2.Easy
Δσ = 40 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.6e0​ = 1.3σ′0​ = 80 kPa4 mwater table

A 4 m thick layer of normally consolidated clay (Cc = 0.6, e₀ = 1.3) has an effective vertical stress of 80 kPa at its mid-depth. A wide fill raises the vertical stress in the clay by 40 kPa. Treat the layer as one sublayer with the stresses at its mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 4 mCc = 0.6e0 = 1.3σ′0 = 80 kPaΔσ = 40 kPa
S = mm
3.Medium
Δσ = 15 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.2, Cr​ = 0.06e0​ = 1σ′0​ = 50 kPaσ′p​ = 110 kPa6.5 mwater table

A 6.5 m thick overconsolidated clay layer has Cc = 0.2, Cr = 0.06 and e₀ = 1. At its mid-depth the effective vertical stress is 50 kPa and the preconsolidation pressure is 110 kPa. A new building adds 15 kPa of vertical stress at mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 6.5 mCc = 0.2Cr = 0.06e0 = 1σ′0 = 50 kPaσ′p = 110 kPaΔσ = 15 kPa
S = mm
4.Medium
Δσ = 80 kPasandclayCc​ = 0.45, Cr​ = 0.06e0​ = 0.7σ′0​ = 110 kPaOCR = 1.56 mwater table

A 6 m thick overconsolidated clay layer has Cc = 0.45, Cr = 0.06 and e₀ = 0.7. At its mid-depth the effective vertical stress is 110 kPa and the overconsolidation ratio is OCR = 1.5. A new building adds 80 kPa of vertical stress at mid-depth. Find the primary consolidation settlement S in mm.

H = 6 mCc = 0.45Cr = 0.06e0 = 0.7σ′0 = 110 kPaOCR = 1.5Δσ = 80 kPa
S = mm
5.Hard
sandclayH = 4.5 mcv​ = 0.5 m²/year4.5 msandwater table

A clay layer 4.5 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 60% average consolidation the time factor is Tv = 0.287. How many years t does the layer take to reach 60% consolidation?

H = 4.5 mcv = 0.5 m²/yearU = 60%Tv = 0.287double drainage
t = years
6.Hard
sandclayH = 3 m3 msandwater table

In a laboratory oedometer test, a clay specimen 19 mm thick, drained at the top and bottom, reaches 50% consolidation in 8 min. In the field the same clay forms a layer 3 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 = 8 minH = 3 mfield: double drainage
t = days

Answer key

  1. 1. S = 278 mm
  2. 2. S = 183.7 mm
  3. 3. S = 22.22 mm
  4. 4. S = 134.6 mm
  5. 5. t = 2.906 years
  6. 6. t = 138.5 days

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