G1

OEDOMETER CONCOLIDATION TEST

(TEST 17: BS 1377: 1975)

INTRODUCTION

When structures are built on saturated soil, the load is presumed to be carried initially by incompressible water within the soil. Because of additional load on the soil, water will tend to be extruded from voids in the soil, causing a reduction in void volume and settlement of a structure. In soils of high permeability (course-grained soils), this process requires a short time interval for completion, with the result that almost all of the settlement has occurred by the time construction is complete. However, in soils of low permeability (fine-grained soils, particularly clayey soils), the process requires along time intervals for completion, with the result that strain occurs very slowly. Thus, settlement takes place slowly and continues over a long period of time.

The phenomenon of compression due to very slow extrusion of water from the voids in a fine-grained soil as a result of increased loading (such as the weight of a structure on a soil) is known as consolidation. Associated settlement is referred to as consolidation settlement. It is important to be able to predict both the rate and magnitude of the consolidation settlement of structures. OBJECTIVE THE TEST

The objective of the test is to determine the magnitude and rate of consolidation of soil when it is restrained laterally drained axially while subjected to incrementally applied loading. The two parameters to be determined are: (1) The compressibility of the soil (expressed in terms of the coefficient of volume compressibility), which is a measure of the amount by which the soil will compress when loaded and allowed to consolidate. (2) The time related parameter (expressed in terms of the coefficient of consolidation), which indicates the rate of compression, and hence the timeperiod over which consolidation settlement will take place.

G1-1

APPARATUS

1) 2) 3)

Flat glass plate, such as is used for the liquid limit test. Cutting tools and straight-edge for specimen trimming Balance and measuring instruments, for weighing and measuring the specimen and ring.

4) 5)

Apparatus for determining moisture content. Consolidation cell.

PROCEDURE

1)

Prepare the sample of soil, which has been completed using the consolidation ring.

2) 3)

Determine the value of initial water content and the mass of the sample Measure the internal diameter of the consolidation ring and thickness of soil specimen.

4) 5) 6)

Ensure that the specimen is completely submerged during the experiment. Set the dial gauge to zero. Place the 1 kg load on the beam support and read the load dial gauge and the displacement gauge for the consolidation test at the following selected time intervals (minutes), 0.25, 1, 2.25, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, 49, 64, 81, 100, etc until the specimen fails..

7)

Stop the test when dial gauge shows a same reading of settlement for several measurements.

8)

The above procedures are then repeated for additional doublings of applied pressure until the final applied pressure is in excess of the total pressure to which the soil samples is expected to be subjected when propose design is built.

(Note : For SAM4051, the final pressure is to be decided by the technician in charge)

G1-2

Table G1-1 Sample

Sample data for Soil Consolidation Test : : : : Organic clay 2.70 329.99 g Diameter = 109.0 mm Thickness = 32.05 mm

Specific gravity for soil particles Mass of dry soil samples The dimension of consolidometer

Gauge

Reading unit =

0.0025 mm

Gauge Readings
Time (min) 1/8 0 0.25 1 1.25 2.25 4 6.25 9 12.25 16 20.25 25 30.25 36 42.25 60 100 200 1440 4843 4922 1/4 4843 4834 4829 4824 4280 4817 4813 4811 4809 4808 4807 4806 4805 4804 4803 4802 4801 4799 4796 1/2 4796 4780 4768 4761 4751 4742 4735 4729 4724 4720 4717 4715 4713 4710 4709 4706 4702 4699 4694 Stress (kN/m ) 1 4694 4664 4641 4629 4610 4592 4576 4562 4553 4546 4540 4533 4529 4517 4508 4493 4478 4458 2 4458 4421 4379 4337 4288 4239 4190 4142 4098 4044 4013 3969 3937 3905 3831 3740 3640 3585 3500 4 3500 3444 3395 3334 3277 3155 3094 3037 2980 2930 2881 2842 2808 2738 2738 2664 2615 2582 2524 8 2524 2441 2366 2283 2204 2118 2040 1965 1899 1835 1788 1744 1702 1623 1578 1539 1500 1426 16 1426 1338 1260 1183 1101 1028 951 894 840 795 764 715 667 623 596 589 525
2

G1-3

NOTES Relationship between void ratio and vertical displacement for the consolidation test is:

e = H (1 + eo) Ho Where, e H Ho eo = change in voids ratio = change in thickness (settlement) = sample thickness = voids ratio in sample

Oedometer EL 28-205: Sample diameter Beam ratio : : 76.02 mm (3 inches) 11:1 which 1lb on hanger will impose Pressure of 1 tonne/ feet2 on sample.

OR 1 kg of load on hanger will impose 23.65 kN/m2 Maximum ability = 1440 kg (3175lb)

Foe each load increment for which time versus deformation reading are obtained, the coefficient of consolidation, Cv can be calculated using either: Log-of time Method: Cv = 0.196H2 t50

OR Square Root of-Time Method: Cv= 0.848H2 t90

G1-4

where, H = half the thickness of specimen (since the specimen is drained on both top and bottom of the specimen in the test. t50 t90 = time to reach 50% consolidation = time to reach 90% consolidation

QUESTIONS

1) 2) 3)

Why do wee need to understand the importance of soil settlement? Discuss the stages and the behavior of soil settlement. Describe the factors which affect the consolidation of soil.

G1-5