9.

0 ADVANCED QUESTIONS
Question 1
Clay samples collected from 5 metres deep in Batu Pahat has a unit weight ( ) of 18 kN/𝑚3 .
The following data were recorded during an oedometer test.
Effecttive 25 50 100 200 400 800 200 50
Stress
(kN/m2)
Void 0.85 0.82 0.71 0.57 0.43 0.3 0.4 0.5
Ratio (e)

i. Plot the graph of void ratio against effective stress on semi-log graph and determine
the compression index (𝐶𝐶), Preconsolidation pressure (𝑃𝐶) and coefficient of volume
compressibility (𝑚𝑉).

Graph Void Ratio vs Effective Stress

0.9

0.8

0.7

0.6
Void Ratio, e

0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900
Effecttive Stress (KN/m2)
 Log 1.40 1.70 2.00 2.30 2.60 2.90 2.30 1.70
(o’)(kPa)
Void 0.85 0.82 0.71 0.57 0.43 0.30 0.40 0.50
Ratio (e)

Graph Void Ratio vs Log (Effective Stress)

0.9

0.8

0.7

0.6
Void ratio, e

0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5
Log (o'), kPa

Coefficient of volume compressibility, 𝑚v

∆𝑒
Mv =(1+
𝑒0)∆𝜎`𝑣

(0.71−0.57)
Mv = = 0.008187 x 10-1m2/kN
(1+0.71)(200−100)

The compression index, 𝐶𝑐

𝑒1 − 𝑒0
𝐶𝑐 = −
𝜎′
log(𝜎 ′ 𝑣1 )
𝑣0

0.71 − 0.57
𝐶𝑐 = − = − 2.31
2.3
log ( 2 )

Therefore, the negative sign is used because the void ratio decreases when the effective stress
is increased and shows the nature of the field consolidation curve of an over consolidated
clay.
Pre consolidation pressure (𝑷𝒄)
𝜎′𝑐 = 45𝑘𝑃𝑎
Therefore, the pre consolidation pressure shown in figure (The graph of void ratio vs Log
Effective stress) above. The slope of the e - log(𝜎’𝑣) curve is fairly flat until a vertical
effective stress equal to the pre consolidation pressure (𝜎’𝑐) is reached. Beyond this point, the
slope of the e – log (𝜎’𝑣) curve becomes steeper, the soil becomes more compressible. The
preconsolidation pressure is like a yield stress for soil.

ii. Define whether the soil is normally consolidated or over consolidated.

𝜎′𝑣𝑚𝑎𝑥
𝑂𝐶𝑅 =
𝜎′𝑣

45
𝑂𝐶𝑅 = = 0.5
90

Therefore, a soil that has experienced a maximum vertical effective stress that was smaller
than its present vertical effective stress is called an normally consolidated (NC) soil.
Normally consolidated soil do not have OCR greater than 1.0.
Question 2
Clay samples collected from 10 metres deep in Parit Raja has a unit weight ( ) of 20 kN/m3.
The following data were recorded during an oedometer test.
Effecttive 50 100 200 400 800 1600 400 100
Stress
(kN/m2)
Void 0.95 0.92 0.81 0.67 0.53 0.4 0.5 0.6
Ratio (e)

i. Plot the graph of void ratio against effective stress on semi-log graph and determine
the compression index (𝐶𝑐), Pre consolidation pressure (𝑃 𝑐) and coefficient of volume
compressibility (𝑚𝑣)

Void Ratio against Effective Stress

1
0.9
0.8
0.7
Void Ratio, e

0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800
Effective Stress (kN/m2)
 Log 1.70 2.00 2.30 2.60 2.90 3.20 2.60 2.00
(o’)(kPa)
Void 0.95 0.92 0.81 0.67 0.53 0.4 0.5 0.6
Ratio (e)

Graph of Void Ratio vs Log (effective Stress)

1
0.9
0.8
0.7
Void Ratio, e

0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5
Log(o'). kPa

Coefficient of volume compressibility (mv)

∆𝑒
Mv =(1+
𝑒0)∆𝜎`𝑣

(0.81−0.67)
Mv = = 0.003867 x 10-1m2/kN
(1+0.81)(400−200)

The compression index (Cc)

𝑒1 − 𝑒0
𝐶𝑐 = −
𝜎′
log( ′ 𝑣1 )
𝜎 𝑣0

0.81 − 0.67
𝐶𝑐 = − = − 2.63
2.6
log (2.3)

Therefore, the negative sign is used because the void ratio decreases when the effective stress
is increased and shows the nature of the field consolidation curve of an over consolidated
clay
Pre consolidation pressure (Pc )

𝜎′𝑐 = 220𝑘𝑃𝑎
Therefore, the pre consolidation pressure shown in figure (The graph of void ratio vs Log
Effective stress) above. The slope of the e - log(σ’v) curve is fairly flat until a vertical
effective stress equal to the pre consolidation pressure (σ’v) is reached. Beyond this point, the
slope of the e – log (σ’v) curve becomes steeper, the soil becomes more compressible. The
pre consolidation pressure is like a yield stress for soil.
ii. Define whether the soil is normally consolidated or over consolidated.

220
𝑂𝐶𝑅 = = 1.1
200

Therefore, an soil that has experienced a vertical effective stress that was greater than its
present vertical effective stress is called an over consolidated (OC) soil. The OCR for an OC
soil is greater than 1. OC soils have fairly high shear strength.
Question 3
What is the use of value and when it is used?
The coefficient of consolidation, and the appropriate boundary conditions is required to
predict the time rate of settlement of soil in the field. There are two commonly used methods
for the determination of the coefficient of consolidation from oedometer data. These are
known as the logarithm of time fitting method and the square root of time fitting method.
With these methods the experimental deflection - time plots are fitted to the theoretical
degree of consolidation - time factor curves.