INDIAN INSTITUE OF ENGINEERING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, SHIBPUR

EXPERIMENT NO.-02

NAME OF THE EXPERIMENT:-

CONSOLIDATION TEST
(IS: 2720-part 15 – 1986)

OBJECTIVE:- The objective of the test is to obtain the compressibility i.e. consolidation
characteristics of a soil by one dimensional consolidation using Consolidometer apparatus.
Consolidation characteristics such as-
1. Coefficient of Compressibility (𝑎𝑣 )
2. Compression Index (𝐶𝐶 )
3. Coefficient of volume change (𝑚𝑣 )

APPARATUS REQUIRED:-

1. Consolidation Ring- diameter-60 mm & height-18.5 mm

2. Porous stone- bottom stone-65 mm dia. & top stone-59 mm dia. ( 2 nos.)
3. Consolidation cell
4. Dial gauge- capacity-20 mm & least count-0.001 mm
5. Loading ram
6. Set of weights
7. Oven
8. Balance- 0.01 gm sensitivity
9. Trimming equipment-metallic straight edge, spatula etc
10. Stopwatch
THEORY:-

Consolidation is the process of removal of pore water present in the soil gradually due to the
application of sustained static load. Because of consolidation, there will be decrease in volume of soil mass.
The Consolidation test is also referred to as Standard Oedometer test or One-dimensional compression test.
This test is carried out on saturated soil specimens, especially in cohesive soils. The main purpose of the
consolidation test is to obtain soil data required for predicting the rate and amount of settlement of
structures. The data also be used to develop void ratio (e) versus pressure (p) curve generally for cohesive
soil.
The void ratio of a soil specimen under any applied pressure (p) may be computed using the following
relationship-
𝐻 − 𝐻𝑠
𝐻𝑠

Where,

H = Height of soil specimen for different specified time at the end of each pressure
increment.
𝑊𝑆
𝐻𝑠 = , Equivalent height of solids (cm)
𝐺𝛾𝑤 𝐴
𝑊𝑆 = Dry weight of the specimen (gm)
G = Specific gravity of the soil particle
A = Cross sectional area of the soil specimen (𝑐𝑚2 )
𝛾𝑊 = Unit weight of water (gm/cc)

NEED AND SCOPE:-

The test is conducted to determine the settlement due to primary consolidation. To determine-
1. Rate of consolidation under normal load.
2. Degree of consolidation at any time.
3. Pressure-void ratio relationship.
4. Coefficient of consolidation at various pressures.
5. Compression index.
From the above information it will be possible for us to predict the time rate and extent of settlement of
structures founded on fine-grained soils. It is also helpful in analysing the stress history of soil. Since the
settlement analysis of the foundation depends mainly on the values determined by the test, this test is very
important for foundation design.

PROCEDURE:-

1. We take the empty weight, height and diameter of the consolidation ring.
2. In remoulded specimen, by compacting the soil in the ring to the desired density and took the weight.
3. Assembled the consolidometer, with the soil specimen and porous stones at top and bottom of
specimen, providing a filter paper between the soil specimen and porous stone. Position the pressure
pad centrally on the top porous stone.
4. We mount the assembly on the loading frame and the dial gauge is set in position in such a way that
the dial is at the beginning of its release run.
5. Apply the normal load to give the desired pressure intensity of 0.25 Kg/𝑐𝑚2 on the soil specimen.
6. We noted the dial gauge reading at elapsed times of 0, 0.5 min, 1 min, 2 min, 4 min, 8 min, 15 min,
30 min & 60 min.
 7. From the instant of application of load. The dial gauge readings are taken until 90% consolidation is
reached or at least for 24 hours.
8. On successive days, applied the pressure intensity of 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 & 8 Kg/𝑐𝑚2 .
9. Again we reduce the load to the initial load, keep it for 24 hrs and note the final readings of the dial
gauge.
10. After the experiment we dismantle the consolidation ring and weigh it.
11. Dried the specimen in the oven for 24 hours and weigh the dry soil specimen.

OBSERVATION & RECORDING:-

1. Inner diameter of Ring = 60 mm

2. Height of the Ring = 18.5 mm
3. Weight of the Ring (𝑊1 ) = 137.83 gm

𝜋
4. Area of the Ring (A) = *60*60 = 2827.48 𝑚𝑚2 .
4

𝜋
5. Volume of the Ring (V)= *60*60 *18.5 = 52307.52 𝑚𝑚3 .
4

6. Weight of Ring + Weight of Moist soil (𝑊2 ) = 253.48 gm

7. Weight of Ring + Weight of dry soil (𝑊3) = 230.11 gm
8. Weight of dry soil (𝑊𝑆 ) = 𝑊3 - 𝑊1 = 92.28 gm
9. Initial thickness of soil sample = V/A = 18.5 mm = 1.85 cm
10. Specific gravity of soils (G)= 2.625
𝑊𝑆 92.28∗100
11. Equivalent height of solid, 𝐻𝑠 = = = 1.243 cm
𝐺𝛾𝑤 𝐴 2.625∗2827.43
12. Least count of dial gauge = 0.001 mm
13. Weight of water ( 𝑊𝑊 ) = 𝑊2 - 𝑊3 = 253.48-230.11 = 23.37 gm
23.37∗100
14. Moisture content (%) =𝑊𝑊 /𝑊𝑆 = = 25.32
92.28
𝑊∗𝐺 25.32∗2.625
15. Degree of saturation (S) = = = 136.2 %
𝑒 0.488

TABLE: 2.1- Consolidation data of Loading stage

Dial Reading
Date Time Load (Kg/𝒄𝒎𝟐 ) Elapsed Time(m)
(0.01mm)
31-07-2019 12:40 0.25 0 2254
0.5 2237
1 2234
2 2233
4 2230
8 2228
15 2225
30 2224
60 2222

01-08-2019 2220
12:40 +0.2=0.5 0 2213
0.5 2212
 1 2211
2 2209
4 2207
8 2205
15 2203
30 2202
60 2201

02-08-2019 2200
01:40 +0.5=1 0 2188
0.5 2184
1 2183
2 2181
4 2178
8 2176
15 2174
30 2174
60 2173

05-08-2019 2168
12:30 +1=2 0 2168
0.5 2152
1 2150
2 2147
4 2143
8 2140
15 2138
30 2137
60 2135

06-08-2019 2132
03:40 +2=4 0 2130
0.5 2107
1 2104
2 2100
4 2095
8 2091
15 2088
30 2086
60 2084

08-08-2019 2078
04:50 +4=8 0 2078
0.5 2048
1 2044
2 2039
4 2033
8 2028
15 2025
30 2022
 TABLE: 2.2- Consolidation data of Unloading stage

Dial Reading
Date Time Load (Kg/𝒄𝒎𝟐 )) Elapsed Time(m)
(0.01mm)
09-08-2019 04:25 4 0 2014
2 2018
4 2019
8 2019
15 2019
30 2019

10/08/2019/ 10:40 2 0 2019

2 2021
4 2021
8 2022
15 2022
30 2024

12-08-2019 03:50 1 0 2031

2 2036
4 2037
8 2037
15 2038
30 2038

13-08-2019 10:40 0.5 0 2040

2 2045
4 2045
8 2046
15 2049
30 2050

14-08-2019 12:40 0.25 0 2050

2 2053
4 2055
8 2056
15 2058
30 2060

15-08-2019 08:00 0 0 2063

2 2070
4 2071
8 2074
15 2077

TABLE: 2.3- PRESSURE (P) & VOID RATIO (e) DATA

Equivalent
Applied Final Dial Change in Thickness Of Void Ratio
Height Of
Pressure(Kg/𝒄𝒎𝟐 ) Gauge Dial Gauge Soil Sample 𝐇−𝑯𝒔
Voids e=
(p) Reading Reading H (cm) 𝑯𝒔
(H-𝑯𝒔 ) (cm)
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
0 2254 0 1.85 0.607 0.488
 0.25 2213 41 1.809 0.566 0.455
0.5 2188 25 1.784 0.541 0.435
1 2168 20 1.764 0.521 0.419
2 2130 38 1.726 0.488 0.392
4 2078 52 1.674 0.431 0.347
8 2020 58 1.616 0.373 0.3

e-logP CURVE
0.5

0.45

0.4

0.35
VOID RATIO (e)

0.3

0.25

0.2

0.15

0.1

0.05

0
0.1 1 2 8 10
PRESSURE (P)

CALCULATION:-
From Graph we get the value- of-
Initial pressure, 𝜎𝑓 = 8 Kg / 𝑐𝑚2
Final pressure, 𝜎𝑖 = 2 Kg / 𝑐𝑚2
Void ratio at initial pressure, 𝑒𝑓 = 0.3
Void ratio at final pressure, 𝑒𝑖 = 0.39
From Table-2.3 we get the value of initial height and change in height corresponding to change in
pressure-
𝐻𝑖 = 1.726 cm
ΔH = 1.726-1.616 = 0.11 cm
Δ 𝜎 = 𝜎𝑓 - 𝜎𝑖 = 8-2= 6 Kg / 𝑐𝑚2

ΔH 1 0.11
1. Coefficient of volume change, 𝑚𝑣 = * = = 10.62 * 10−3 𝑐𝑚2 /Kg
𝐻𝑖 Δ𝜎 1.726∗6

𝑒𝑖 −𝑒𝑓 0.39−0.3
2. Compression Index, 𝐶𝐶 = 𝜎𝑓 = 8 = 0.150
( ) ( )
2
𝑙𝑜𝑔10
𝜎
𝑙𝑜𝑔10 𝑖
 Δ𝑒 0.39−0.3
3. Coefficient of compressibility, 𝑎𝑣 = = = 0.015 𝑐𝑚2 /Kg
Δ𝜎 6

PRECAUTION:-
1. While measuring the dimensions of the Ring, we should be very much careful.
2. Care should be taken while preparing test specimen.
3. We should be aware and taken proper care during placement of soil specimen in Consolidation
Ring and then Consolidation Cell.
4. Place the load increment on the pan of the weight hanger very gently causing no jerk to the
Consolidation Ring.
5. Pressure should be applied on loading ram with a care and dial gauge reading also be taken with
carefully.
6. We should be very much aware during handling the instrument.

RESULT & CONCLUSION:-

By doing the Consolidation test for the soil sample, we get the value of Compression index,
𝐶𝐶 = 0.15.
From Consistency Test, we get the value of Liquid Limit (𝑤𝑙 ) = 34 % and Plastic Limit(𝑤𝑝 )=22.17% So,
Plasticity Index , 𝐼𝑝 = (𝑤𝑙 - 𝑤𝑝 ) = (34 - 22.17)% =11.83%
From equation of A – line, 𝐼𝑝 = 0.73 * (𝑤𝑙 -20) = 0.73 * (34-20) = 10.22 %
From equation of U – line, 𝐼𝑝 =0.9 *(𝑤𝑙 -8) = 0.9 * (34-8) = 23.4 %
Since 𝐶𝐶 <1 , soil is poorly graded sand and it lies above A-line, so the soil is having more clay percentage.
So the final classification of soil is Poorly graded sand with Clay.