Consolidation

14.1

Introduction

What happens when a foundation is placed on top of a clay layer? It is obvious that the clay layer will compress and, as a result, the foundation will settle. W h y does the foundation settle due to an applied load? Clay is a mixture of soil particles, water, and air. W h e n a clay soil is loaded, the water particles inside the soil mass are pressurized and tend to squeeze out. See Fig. 14.1. The settlement due to water squeezing out is known as primary consolidation. The squeezing out of water is caused by the dissipation of excess pore pressure. When all the water in the soil is squeezed out, primary consolidation has been achieved.

Figure 14.1 Water squeezing out from the soil

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Geotechnical Engineering Calculations and Rulesof Thumb

In reality, 100% primary consolidation usually can never be achieved. For all practical purposes, 90% primary consolidation is taken as the end of the primary consolidation process. See Fig. 14.2 for the dramatic result of clay consolidation as shown by the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Figure 14.2 Tower of Pisa (clay consolidation) 14.1.1 Secondary

Compression

After primary consolidation comes the p h e n o m e n o n of secondary compression. Once all the water is squeezed out, it might be expected that settlement would stop. Interestingly, that is not the case. Settlement continues even after all the excess pore water is squeezed out. This p h e n o m e n o n , secondary compression, is due to the fact that soil particles start to rearrange their orientation. See Fig. 14.3.

Chapter 14 Consolidation

179

Figure 14.3 Soil particles below a footing

What does this mean? These soil particles settle to rearrange into a more stable configuration. See Fig. 14.4.

Figure 14.4 Stable rearrangement

Rearrangement of soil particles thus creates further settlement of the foundation. In reality, secondary compression starts as soon as the foundation is constructed. But for simplicity, the usual practice is to compute the secondary compression after the primary consolidation is completed.

14.1.2

Summaryof Concepts Learned

9 Primary consolidation occurs due to dissipation of excess pore

pressure. 9 In reality, the primary consolidation never ends. For all practical purposes, 90% consolidation is taken as the end of the process.

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Geotechnical Engineering Calculations and Rules of Thumb

9 Secondary compression occurs due to rearrangement of soil particles, which is due to the load. Secondary compression has nothing to do with the pore water pressure.

14.2

Excess Pore Pressure Distribution

Figure 14.5 shows a group of piezometers installed at increasing depth in the soil close to a shallow foundation. Piezometers measure fluid pressure.

Figure 14.5 Pore pressure distribution near a loaded footing

Piezometer A is located at the same level as the bottom of the footing in the sand layer and Piezometer G is the deepest measuring device. What information does each piezometer report? Piezometer A: Any excess pore pressure generated due to the footing load would be dissipated immediately, since the sand is highly permeable. Piezometer B: The bottom of piezometer B is at a lower depth than piezometer A. Excess pore pressure will not dissipate immediately, since water particles have to travel upward toward the sand layer. This would take some time, depending upon the permeability of the clay layer.

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181

Piezometers C, D, and E: Piezometers C, D, and E are lower than piezometer B. Hence, more time is required for the dissipation of pore pressure. Piezometer F: The water level of piezometer F has dropped compared to piezometer E. This is due to the fact that water could dissipate to the sand layer below the clay layer. Piezometer G: Excess pore pressure in piezometer G will dissipate immediately, as in the case of piezometer A, due to the proximity of the bottom sand layer. Dissipation of excess pore pressure usually takes months, or in some cases years, to complete. Clays with low permeability would take a long time to complete primary consolidation. As mentioned earlier, 100% primary consolidation would usually never be achieved.

14.3 Normally Consolidated Clays and Overconsolidated Clays

Settlement due to consolidation occurs in clayey soils. Clay soils usually originate in lake beds or ocean floors. Sedimentation of clay particles occurs in calm waters. See Fig. 14.6.

Fine clay particles

0 0

0 Lake
0

Clay

Figure 14.6 Formation of a clay layer due to sedimentation

Years down the road, the lake dries up and the clay layer is exposed. See Fig. 14.7. The newly formed clay layer was never subjected to any loads other than the load due to the body of water. Such clays are known as

182

Geotechnical Engineering Calculations and Rules of Thumb Water body disappeared A (Original surface)

Clay

Figure 14.7 Normally consolidated clay

normally consolidated clays. The earth is a dynamic planet. Changes occur on the earth's surface every day. Hurricanes, tsunamis, landslides, the coming and going of glaciers, and volcanoes are some of the events that occur on the earth's surface. During the last ice age, a large area of northern hemisphere was under a few hundred feet of ice. When glaciers are formed during an ice age, the clays in that region are subjected to a tremendous load. Due to the ice load, the clay undergoes settlement. See Fig. 14.8.

Glacier

O O A (Original surface)

B (Settled location due to glacier)

Clay

The clay layer settles from point A to point B due to the glacier

Figure 14.8 Overconsolidation process

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183

Glaciers normally melt away and disappear at the end of ice ages. Today, glaciers can be seen only at the North Pole and the South Pole, or in high mountain ranges. After the melting of the glaciers, the load on the clay is released. Hence, the clay layer rebounds. Clays that had been subjected to high pressures in the past are known as preconsolidated clays or overconsolidated clays. See Fig. 14.9.
Glacier has melted ....................................... A (Original surface) C (Location after melting of the glacier, rebound) B (Settled location due to glacier) Clay When the glacier is melted, the clay layer will rebound to point C

Figure 14.90verconsolidated clay

Now assume that a footing has been placed on the clay layer. The clay layer with the newly placed footing is shown in Fig. 14.10.

Figure 14.10 Footing load on overconsolidated clay

The clay layer then undergos settlement due to the footing load. The new location of the top surface of the clay layer is shown in Fig. 14.11.

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Geotechnical Engineering Calculations and Rules of Thumb

e,

Figure 14.12 shows the change in void ratio, of the footing.

due to the settlement

Figure 14.11 Footing settlement

e (void ratio)

ec eD ~ D

, log (p)

e c = Void ratio of clay after melting of the glacier e D = Void ratio of clay after settlement due to foundation load

Figure 14.12 Change of void ratio

Now assume that the footing load is increased. When the footing load is increased, the clay layer settles further. If the load is large enough, the clay layer settles beyond point B. Point B is the surface of the clay layer during the period in which the glaciers were present. Figure 14.13 shows the new location of the settled footing at point D. See Fig. 14.14 for a graph showing the further change in void ratio, e. When the load is increased, the void ratio of clay decreases due to settlement. In the above example, in the time when the glacier was present, the void ratio of the clay layer was eB. When the glacier melted

Chapter 14

Consolidation

185

Figure 14.13 Settlement of footing beyond previous level

e (void ratio)

ec eB

....... c

~/

Recompression portion

Virgin portion

eD 9 log(p)

p~
e c = Void ratio of clay after melting of the glacier (rebound) e B - Void ratio of clay after settlement due to glacier e D -- Void ratio of clay after settlement due to foundation load.

Figure 14.14

Void ratio after consolidation due to footing load

away, the clay layer rebounded. Hence, the voids inside the clay layer increased. After the melting of the glacier, the void ratio increased from eB t o ec. This was the state of the clay layer until a footing was placed there. W h e n the footing load was increased, the void ratio decreased. As soon as the void ratio goes below eB (void ratio when the glacier was present) the curve bends.

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Geotechnical Engineering Calculations and Rules of Thumb

The top portion of the e vs log(p) curve shown in Fig. 14.14 is known as the recompression curve, and the bottom portion is known as the virgin curve. C to B: Recompression curve B to D: Virgin curve The gradient of the virgin curve is steeper than the recompression curve. The gradient of the recompression curve is usually denoted by Cr and the gradient of the virgin curve is denoted by Cc. The settlement is high for a given pressure within the virgin portion of the graph. The pressure at point B is the largest pressure that the clay layer was subjected to prior to placing the foundation. The pressure at point B is known as the preconsolidation pressure and is denoted by p'C" The stress prior to placement of the footing is usually denoted by p~.

14.4 Total Primary Consolidation

When a clay layer is loaded, as we learned in the previous section, it starts to consolidate and settle. See Fig. 14.15.

Figure 14.15 Shallow foundation on clay soil (properties of midsection)

Settlement due to total primary consolidation in normally consolidated clay is given by the following equation. Please note that normally consolidated clays have never been subjected to a higher stress than they have now.
AHH x C c / ( l +eo) l o g ( (p~+Ap))p~

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187

where AH = H= Cc = e0 = p~ = Ap = e0 ef =

p~ p~ -

total primary consolidation settlement thickness of the clay layer compression index of the clay layer void ratio of the clay layer at the midpoint of the clay layer prior to loading effective stress at the midpoint of the clay layer prior to loading increase of stress at the midpoint of the clay layer due to the footing. See Fig. 14.16. present void ratio final void ratio after consolidation due to the footing load present vertical effective stress at the midpoint of the clay layer final vertical effective stress at the midpoint of the clay layer after placement of the footing
! !

Ap-

pf-

Po

Cc = gradient of the curve (compression index)

e (void ratio) Cc (gradient)

eo

P6

Pf'

P, log(p)

Figure 14.16 Change of void ratio for normally consolidated clay

Design Example 14.1

This example explores consolidation settlement in normally consolidated clay, for the no groundwater case. Find the settlement due to consolidation of a 3 m x 3 m column foundation with a load of 200 kN. The foundation is placed I m below the top surface, and the clay layer is

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Geotechnical Engineering Calculations and Rules of Thumb

9 m thick. There is a sand layer underneath the clay layer. The density of the clay layer is 18 kN/m 3, the compression index, Cc, of the clay layer is 0.32, and the initial void ratio, e0, of the clay is 0.80. Assume that the pressure is distributed at a 2:1 ratio and the clay is normally consolidated. See Fig. 14.17.

Figure 14.17 Footing on normally consolidated clay layer

Solution

STEP 1: Write down the consolidation settlement equation

AH H x Cc/(l + eo)

l o g ( (p~)+Ap))p~

AH = H= Cc = e0 =

total primary consolidation settlement thickness of the compressible clay layer compression index of the clay layer void ratio of the clay layer at the midpoint of the clay layer prior to loading p ~ - effective stress at the midpoint of the clay layer prior to loading

STEP 2: The clay layer is 9 m thick and the footing is placed I m below the surface. The top I m is not subjected to consolidation. A clay layer with a thickness of 8 m below the footing is subjected

Chapter 14 Consolidation

189

to consolidation due to footing load. Find the effective stress at the mid layer of the compressible clay stratum, p~.
!

Po!

Yclay 5

P o - 18 x 5 - 90 k N / m 2 STEP 3: Find the increase of stress, Ap, at the midpoint of the clay layer due to the footing. The total load of 100 kN is distributed at a larger area at the midsection of the clay layer. area of the midsection of the clay layer = (2 + 3 + 2) x (2 + 3 + 2) - 4 9 m 2 A p - 200/49 -- 4.1 k N / m 2 STEP 4: Apply values in the consolidation equation.

AH -- H x Cc/(l + eo) x log ( (p~+Ap))p~

The following parameters are given: Cc = 0 . 3 2
eo = 0 . 8

AH = 8 x 0.32/(1 + 0.8) log(90 + 4.1)/90 AH -- 0.0275 m (1 in.) Note that H, the thickness of the clay layer, should be calculated starting from the bottom of the footing. Although the total thickness of the clay layer is 9 m, the first I m of the clay layer is not compressed. In the next example, groundwater is considered.

Design Example 14.2

This example covers consolidation settlement in normally consolidated clay, in the case where groundwater is present. Find the settlement due to consolidation of a 3 rn x 3 m column foundation with a load of 180 kN. The sand layer is 4 m thick and the clay layer below is 10 m

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Geotechnical Engineering Calculations and Rules of Thumb

thick. The density of the sand layer is 17.5 kN/m 3, and the density of the clay layer is 18 kN/m 3. The groundwater level is 1.5 m below the surface. The compression index, Cc, of the clay layer is 0.3, and the initial void ratio, e0, of the clay is 0.8. Assume that the pressure is distributed at a 2:1 ratio and the clay is normally consolidated. See Fig. 14.18.

Figure 14.18 Shallow foundation on clay soil (parameters)

Solution

STEP 1: Write down the consolidation settlement equation

AHH x Cc/(l +eo) x

l o g ( (p~+Ap))p~

where AH -- total primary consolidation settlement H = thickness of the clay layer

Chapter 14 Consolidation

191

Cc = compression index of the clay layer e0 = void ratio of the clay layer at the midpoint of the clay layer prior to loading p ~ - effective stress at the midpoint of the clay layer prior to loading STEP 2: Find the initial effective stress at the mid layer of the clay stratum, P0"
l

/90

Ysand x 1 . 5

(Ysand -- ~/water) x 2 . 5

+ (Yclay-

Ywater) x 5

' Po - 17.5 x 1.5 + (17.5 - 9.807) x 2.5 + ( 1 8 - 9.087) x 5 ' Po - 86.5 kN/m 2 STEP 3: Find the increase of stress, Ap, at the midpoint of the clay layer due to the footing. The total load of 180 kN is distributed at a larger area at the midsection of the clay layer. area of the midsection of the clay layer = (4 + 3 + 4) x (4 + 3 + 4) - 121 m 2 A p - 1 8 0 / 1 2 1 - 1.5 kN/m 2 STEP 4: Apply the values in the consolidation equation.

AH--Hx Cc/(l+eo)xlog((p~)+Ap))p~)
AH = 10 x 0.3/(1 + 0.8) log(86.5 + 1.5)/86.5 AH = 0.0124 rn (0.5 in.)

14.5

Consolidation in Overconsolidated Clay

The e vs logp curve for preconsolidated clay is shown in Fig. 14.19. The symbols used in Fig. 14.19 are defined as follows. e 0 - initial void ratio e c - void ratio at preconsolidation pressure ef ---- final void ratio at the end of the consolidation process. p ~ - initial pressure prior to the footing load

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Geotechnical Engineering Calculations and Rules of Thumb

e (void ratio)
k

eo ec

Recompression p~176 (Cr)

Virgin portion (Co)

~f

......

,i i

, i | i '

i i i I

P6

I/ F"

3pl

.J... > /I" ~p2

Pc'

Pf'

log(p)

Figure 14.19 e vs logp curve for overconsolidated clay

P c - overconsolidation pressure (also known as preconsolidation pressure) p ~ - pressure after the footing is placed Cc - compression index Cr = recompression index AH = AH1 + AH2 AH1 = settlement from B to C (Cr) AH2 = settlement from C to D (Cc)

AH-- H x Cr/(l +eo) x log ( (p~)+ Apl) PO + H x Cc/(l+eo) x l~ (pc+Apz))p'c

In this equation, point B indicates the present void ratio and existing vertical effective stress, and point C indicates the m a x i m u m stress that the clay had been subjected to in the past. The void ratio and the past m a x i m u m stress have to be obtained by conducting a laboratory consolidation test. The geotechnical engineer should obtain Shelby tube samples and send them to the laboratory to conduct a consolidation test. Point D indicates the expected stress after the footing is constructed. Unlike in the normally consolidated soils, in preconsolidated soils, the settlement has to be computed in two parts. The consolidation settlement from B to C is computed as

AH1-- H x Cr/(l +eo) x log ( (p~)+ Apl) )

Apl -- plc - PO I

p;

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193

and the consolidation settlement from C to D is computed as AH2--Hx

Cc/(l+eo)xlog(
Ap2 -- pf - Pc
! f

(pc+Ap2))p~

Hence the total settlement is given by AH = AH1 + AH2

Design Example 14.3

This example concerns consolidation settlement in overconsolidated clay, in the case where groundwater is not considered. Find the settlement due to consolidation in a 3 m x 3 m column foundation with a load of 270 kN. The foundation is placed I m below the ground surface, and the clay layer is 9 m thick. There is a sand layer underneath the clay layer. The density of the clay layer is 18 kN/m 3, the compression index, Cc, of the clay layer is 0.32, the recompression index, Cr, is 0.035, the preconsolidation pressure (Pc) is 92 kN/m 2, and the initial void ratio, e0, of clay is 0.80. Assume that the pressure is distributed at a 2:1 ratio and the clay is normally consolidated. See Fig. 14.20.

Solution
STEP 1: Write down the consolidation settlement equation.

AH- H Cr/(l +eo) x l o g (

+H

(p~+Apl))p~ (pc+Ap2))p~

Cc/(l+eo)xlog(

Recompression portion (Cr)

Virgin compression (Cc)

where A H = total primary consolidation settlement H = thickness of the compressible clay layer Cc -compression index of the clay layer (virgin portion) Cr - recompression index of the clay layer (recompression portion)

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Geotechnical Engineering Calculations and Rules of Thumb

Figure 14.20 Settlement in overconsolidated clay

A H1 = settlement in recompression portion A H2 = settlement in virgin portion e0 = void ratio of the clay layer at the midpoint of the clay layer prior to loading p~ -effective stress at the midpoint of the clay layer prior to loading p'C - preconsolidation pressure p } - pressure after the footing is placed STEP 2: The clay layer is 9 m thick and the footing is placed I m below the surface. The top I m is not subjected to consolidation. A clay layer with a thickness of 8 m below the footing is subjected to consolidation due to footing load. Find the effective stress at the mid layer of the compressible clay ! stratum, P0 P o - ?"clay x 5 = 18 x 5 = 9 0 k N / m 2 STEP 3" Find the increase of stress, Ap, at the midpoint of the clay layer due to the footing. The total load of 270 kN is distributed at a larger area at the midsection of the clay layer.
f

Chapter 14 Consolidation
area of the midsection of the clay layer - (2 + 3 + 2) x(2 + 3 + 2) - 4 9 m 2 A p - 2 7 0 / 4 9 - 5.5 kN/m 2 existing stress, Po = 90 k N / m 2 preconsolidation stress is given as - 92 kN/rn 2 final pressure after foundation load, pf - P0 + Ap - 90 + 5.5 = 95.5 k N / m 2 STEP 4: Apply the values in the consolidation equation.
! ! !

195

AH-

AH1 + AH2

A H - H x Cr/(l +eo) x log ( (p~ + Apl) )

p'o

+ H x Cc/(l +eo) x l o g ( (pc+Ap2))p~

where p ~ - effective stress at the m i d p o i n t of the clay layer prior to loading = 90 kN/m 2 ! Apl --stress increase from initial stress, P0 to preconsolidation pressure p'C A p 2 - stress increase from preconsolidation pressure, Pc, to final ! pressure, pf Since Po is 90 and Pc was given as 92, Apl is 2 kN/m 2. Since Pc is ! 92 and the final pressure, pf was determined as 95.5, Ap2 is 3.5 kN/m 2. Therefore A H can be calculated as AH - 8 x 0.035/(1 + 0.8) log(90 + 2)/90 + 8 x 0.32/(1 + 0.8) log(92 + 3.5)/92 For the line diagram showing A H, see Fig. 14.21.
! ! !

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G e o t e c h n i c a l E n g i n e e r i n g C a l c u l a t i o n s a n d Rules of T h u m b

I
Effective stress p6 = 90

I
Pc' = 92.2

I
pf' = 95.5 .J

,~Pl
Settlement AH 1

AP2
AH 2

AH = AH 1 + A H 2 = 0.025 rn

(1 in.)

Figure 14.21 Line diagram

14.6

Computation of Time for Consolidation

In the previous chapter, we studied how to compute the total settlem e n t due to primary consolidation. In this chapter, we discuss how to compute the time taken for the consolidation process. The time taken for primary consolidation is given by the following equation.

H2xTv Cv

where t = time taken for the consolidation process H = thickness of the drainage layer (discussed in the explanation below) Tv - time coefficient Cv - consolidation coefficient Tv can be obtained from Table. 14.1 if U%, the percent consolidation, is known.

14.6.1

Drainage Layer (H)

The thickness of the drainage layer is defined as the longest path a water molecule has to take for drainage. See Fig. 14.22. In the case of single drainage, drainage can occur only from one side. In Fig. 14.22, water cannot drain through the rock. Water can drain

Chapter 14 Consolidation Table 14.1 U% and Tv

197

U% (percent consolidation) Tv
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 0.00 0.048 0.090 0.115 0.207 0.281 0.371 0.488 0.652 0.933 1.0 (approximately)

from the sand layer on top. In this case, the thickness of the drainage layer =/-/. See Fig. 14.22. The water molecule in Fig. 14.23 has the opportunity to drain either from the top or from the bottom. The longest drainage path for a water molecule is only H/2.

Figure 14.22 Thickness of the drainage layer (single drainage)

Figure 14.23 Thickness of the drainage layer (double drainage)

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Geotechnical Engineering Calculations and Rules of Thumb

Design Example 14.4

Find the approximate time taken for 100% consolidation in the clay layer shown in Fig 14.24.

Figure 14.24 Consolidation in clay (double drainage) Solution

The time taken for consolidation is given by t-where t = time taken for the consolidation process H = thickness of the drainage layer Tv -- time coefficient From Table 14.1, the approximate Tv value for 100% consolidation is 1.0. The value of Cv is given as 0.011 m2/day. The clay layer above can drain from the top and also from the bottom. From the top it can drain to the surface, and from the b o t t o m it can drain to the sand layer below. Hence, H should be half the thickness of the clay layer. H = 4/2m H=2m t(22 x 1.0)/0.01 - 363 days H2xTv
Cv

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199

We could reasonably assume that all the settlement due to clay consolidation has occurred after 363 days.

Design Example 14.5

Find the settlement after 1 year in the clay layer shown for the 3 m x 3 m c o l u m n footing as shown in Fig. 14.25. The groundwater level is 1.5 m below the surface. The following parameters are given for the clay layer: ~, - 18 kN/m 3, Cr = 0.032, Cc - 0.38, e0 - 0.85, p'c = 50 kPa, Cv = 0.011 m2/day.

Figure 14.25 Consolidation in clay (single drainage)

Solution AH = H= Cc = Cr = e0 = total primary consolidation settlement thickness of the drainage layer compression index of the clay layer in the virgin zone recompression index of the clay layer in the recompression zone void ratio of the clay layer at m i d p o i n t of the clay layer prior to loading p ~ - effective stress at the m i d p o i n t of the clay layer prior to loading

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Geotechnical Engineering Calculations and Rules of Thumb

Pc - preconsolidation pressure p ~ - pressure after the footing is placed Cv - consolidation coefficient STEP 1" The first step is to find the percent consolidation (U%) after one year H2xTv
t m

t - 1 y e a r - 365 days H - thickness of the drainage layer In this case drainage is only possible from the top. Drainage is not possible from the bottom, due to bedrock. Therefore, this is a single drainage situation. Hence H = 6 m. It should be m e n t i o n e d here that in reality, the longest drainage path is 7 m, since the footing is placed I m below the surface. Tv - time coefficient Find Tv
Tv Cv x t / H 2 - -

0.011 x 365/62 -- 0.111

STEP 2: Use Table 14.1 to determine Tv. From Table 14.1, for U% - 20%, T v - 0.009, and for U% - 30%, Tv - 0.115. Through interpolation, find U % for Tv - 0.111. ( U - 20)/(0.111 - 0 . 0 0 9 ) - ( 3 0 - 20)/(0.115 - 0 . 0 0 9 ) For T v - 0.111, U - 2 9 . 6 . Therefore, w h e n t (time) - 1 0.111 and U% - 29.6. STEP 3: Find the total settlement clue to consolidation.
AH -- H x C r / ( l + eo) x

year-Tv =

log((p~)+Apl)),

+.

+eo)

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201

The clay layer is 7 m thick, and the footing is placed 1 m below the surface. The top I m is not subjected to consolidation. The compressible portion of the clay layer is 6 m thick. Find the effective stress at the mid layer of the compressible clay stratum, p~. P o - 1.5 x )"clay + - 2 . 5 x (}'clay- Yw) = 1.5 x 18 + 2.5 x ( 1 8 - 9 . 8 0 7 ) - 47.5 kN/m 2 STEP 4: Find the increase of stress, Ap, at the m i d p o i n t of the clay layer due to the footing. The total load of 350 kN is distributed at a larger area at the midsection of the clay layer. area of the midsection of the clay layer = (3 + 1.5 + 1.5) x (3 + 1.5 + 1.5) - 3 6 m 2 Ap -- 350/36 -- 9.72 kN/m 2 STEP 5: Find the final pressure after application of the footing load.
pf -- initial pressure + pressure increase
! !

due to footing load at m i d p o i n t Pf P0 + Ap 47.5 + 9.72 - 5 7 . 2 2 k N / m 2

STEP 6: Apply values in the consolidation equation.

AH-- H x Cr/(l +eo) x log ( (p~ + Apl) )

p'o

+H
where

+eo) x l o g ( (pc+Apz))p~:

A p l - stress increase from initial stress, p~, to preconsolidation pressure p'C

' Since Po is 47.5 and 47.5) kN/m 2.

p'c

was given as 50 kN/m 2, Apl is (50 -

Apl -- 2.5 kN/m 2

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Geotechnical Engineering Calculations and Rules of Thumb

Next, we find Ap2, the stress increase from preconsolidation pressure '. ' Pc to final pressure pf Since Pc is 50 kN/m 2 and pf was found to be 57.2, Ap2 is (57.22 - 50) kN/m 2.

A p 2 - 7.22kN/m 2
A H -- 6 x O.O32/(l + O.85) log I (P'o + APl) \ + 6 x 0.38/(1 --[-0.85)

p;

l~

(pc + pAp2) ) ~

= 0.1037 log(47.5 + 2.5)/47.5 + 1.23 log(50 + 7.22)/50 = 0.0023 + 0.072 = 0.0743 m (2.92 in.) STEP 7: Find the settlement after 1 year. The percent consolidation (U%) after 1 year is 29.6% (see Step 2). settlement after 1 y e a r - total settlement x percent consolidation settlement after 1 year - 0.0743 x 0.296 = 0.022 m (0.87 in.)