9.

1 A clay soil of thickness H is allowed to drain on the top boundary through a

thin sand layer. A vertical stress of σ is applied to the clay. The excess
porewater pressure distribution is linear in the soil layer with a value of ut at
the top boundary and ub (ub > ut) at the bottom boundary. The excess
porewater pressure at the top boundary is not zero because the sand layer was
partially blocked. Derive an equation for the excess porewater pressure
distribution with soil thickness and time.

Solution 9.1a
u  2u
Solve  Cv 2
t z
ub  ut
At t = 0, u(z, 0) = u t  z
H
u(0, t) = 0
u(H, t) = u b
u(z, t) = u s z   u t z, t 
u z
u s z  = 0  b
H
u t 0, t   u 0, t   u b 0  0 (1)
u t H, t  = u(H, t) – u(H) = u b  u b = 0 (2)
u  u tz u bz u
u t z, 0 = u(z, 0) - u b z  = u t  b  = u t  tz (3)
H H H
Solving for u t z, t 
u t z, t  =  C1 cos  z  C2 sin  z  exp C  t
2 2
v

u t 0, t  = 0 (from 1)  C1 = 0

u t H, t  = C 2 sin H  0 ,   
n
H
 Cv2 n 2 2t
n z
 u t z, t  = bn sin exp H2
H
Adding all such solutions (Fourier Series)
  Cv2 n 2 2t
nz
u t z, t  =  b n sin exp
n 1 H H2

nz
 u t z, 0    b n sin
n 1 H
Equating (3) and(4) and solving for b n (4)
 Cv2 m 2 2t
u t ut 
1 2m z
bn 
n
1  cos n  ut  z , t  

 m sin
m 1 H
exp H2

u(z, t) = u s z   u t z, t 
4 Cv2 m 2 2t
uz u 
1 2m z
u  z, t   b  t
H 

m 1 m
sin
H
exp H2
Solution 9.1b (alternative)

The solution is worked out for a general situation of transient and steady state excess pore water pressure

 2 u u
Cv  , 0  z  H, t  0 (1)
z 2 t
Boundary Conditions:
u(0, t) = u o , u (H, t )  u 1 , t  0
 u ut 
u(z, 0) =  u t  b z  f (z)
 H 

u (z, t) approaches steady state excess pore water pressure s(z) when t   .
The excess pore water pressure at any depth and time is made up of a transient excess pore water pressure,
A(z, t), and the steady state pore water pressure s(z), i.e.
u(z, t) = A(z, t) + s(z)
 u(0, t) = A(0, t) + s(0) = u o
This equation is satisfied if
A(0, t) = 0 and s(0) = u o

Also
U(H, t) = A(H, t) + s(H) = u1
Which is satisfied if
A(H, t) = 0 and s(H) = u1

The transient excess pore water pressure must satisfy

 2A A
Cv  , 0  z  H, t  0
z 2 t
From the initial conditions we get
u(z, 0) = A(z, 0) +s(z)
Therefore
A(z, 0) = u(z, 0) – s(z) = f(z) – s(z)

We now solve the steady state and transient conditions separately

Steady State

 2s
 0, 0  z  H, t  0
z 2
s(0)  u t , s(H)  u 1 , t  0

 2s
The solution for  0 is
z 2
s (z ) =Cz + B where C and B are constants
s(0) = B = u o
s (H ) = CH + B = u 1
 u1  u o
C 
z
 u  uo 
This s(z) =  1 z  u o
 H 
Transient State
  n 2 c v t n
Az, t     n sin  n z e where  n 
n 1 H

From the initial condition: A z, o     n sin  n z   f(z) – s(z)
n 1

2 H
f z   sz  sin nz dz
H o 
 n 
H 
The solution for the problem is: u(z, t) = A(z, t) + s(z) =
 u1  uo   
 o     n sin  n z  exp
  n 2 cv t
  u
 H   n 1
2 H nz 
and  n   f z   sz  sin
n
Where   dz
H H o H 
If steady state excess pore water pressure is zero, then the solution is:

 n z  exp n c t
2
u(z. t) =  n sin v

n 1
Substituting for  n and performing the intergration for  n , we get u(z, t) =
 z 1 
1  2m z  4Cv m 2 2t 
ut 1    sin   exp  where m = 1 to 
 H  m0 m  H  H2 
9.2 A soil layer of thickness Ho has only single drainage through the top
boundary. The excess porewater pressure distribution when a vertical
stress, σ, is applied varies parabolically with a value of zero at the top
boundary and ub at the bottom boundary. Show that
H o2 d '  H dH o
Cv = and k z = w o
2ub dt 2ub dt

Solution 9.2

 2z z2 
The excess pore water pressure at a depth z is: u = u b   2 (1)
 Ho H 
 o 

u  2u
The consolidation equation is:  Cv 2 (2)
t z
The change is excess pore water pressure is equal to the change in effective stress.
u  
Therefore: 
t t
u 
(Note: u =   ,   0 since  is constant.)
t t
   2u
Hence   Cv 2 (3)
t z
 2u 2u b
Differentiating (1) twice we get  (4)
z 2
H o2

H o2   H o2  
Putting (4) into (3) we get C v  
2u b t 2u b t
k  Cvmv  w
1 H o 1 H o
mv  
H o   H o  
H o2  1 H o
 k  w
2u b t H o  
 w H o H o
k
2u b t
This can be written in this case as
 w H o dH o
k
2ub dt
9.3 Show that, for a linear elastic soil,

mvr =
1  v 1  2v 
' '

E 1  v 
' '

Solution 9.3

 z
mv  (1)
 z
From Hooke’s Law (chapter 7) for 1 – D consolidation.
 z 
E
1   z  (2)
1  1  2
Substituting (2) into (1) we get: m v 
1  1  2
E1  
9.4 Show that, if an overconsolidated soil behaves like a linear elastic material,
v'
Kooc =  OCR  Konc   OCR  1
1  v'

Solution 9.4

Let  xo and  zo be the lateral and vertical effective stresses for a normally consolidated soil.

Then: K onc  xo (1)
 zo
Let  x and  z be the lateral and vertical effective stresses during unloading.
 xo  x


 xo   x  zo  zo
Then: K oc  = (2)
o
 zo   z  z
1
 zo
 zo
OCR = (3)
 zo   z
OCR
  zo   z (4)
OCR  1
 x  x OCR  1
 (5)
 zo OCR  z

From Hooke’s Law  z =

1
E
 
z   y   x = 0 (6)

 x 
By symmetry  y =  x ; therefore from (6) = (7)
 z 1  
 x  OCR  1
By putting (7) into (5) we get = (8)
 zo 1   OCR

 nc  x 
o = 
Substituting (3) into (2) we get K oc  K o  
 OCR
 (9)
 zo 

Putting (8) into (9) and simplifying K oc nc
o = Ko OCR  OCR  1
1  
9.5 The excess porewater pressure distribution in a 10 m thick clay varies
linearly from 100 kPa at the top to 10 kPa at the bottom of the layer when a
vertical stress was applied. Assuming drainage only at the top of the clay
layer, determine the excess porewater pressure in 1 year’s time using the
finite difference method if Cv = 1.5m2/yr.

Solution 9.5

The equation for the linear pore water pressure distribution = 100 - 9z where z is depth from the surface.

Use the finite difference equations to complete the table

Finite Difference Method

2
Cv 2.5 m /yr
z 1m
t 0.1 yr
 0.25

time (yr)
Depth 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
(m)
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1 91 66.0 53.5 45.7 40.2 36.1 32.9 30.3 28.1 26.2 24.6
2 82 82.0 75.8 69.5 64.0 59.3 55.3 51.8 48.8 46.1 43.7
3 73 73.0 73.0 71.4 69.1 66.5 63.8 61.2 58.7 56.3 54.1
4 64 64.0 64.0 64.0 63.6 62.8 61.8 60.5 59.1 57.7 56.2
5 55 55.0 55.0 55.0 55.0 54.9 54.7 54.3 53.8 53.2 52.5
6 46 46.0 46.0 46.0 46.0 46.0 46.0 46.0 46.0 45.9 45.8
7 37 37.0 37.0 37.0 37.1 37.2 37.4 37.6 37.9 38.2 38.4
8 28 28.0 28.0 28.3 28.7 29.2 29.7 30.3 30.8 31.4 31.9
9 19 19.0 20.1 21.3 22.3 23.3 24.2 25.1 25.9 26.7 27.4
10 10 14.5 16.8 18.4 19.8 21.1 22.2 23.2 24.1 25.0 25.9
9.6 At a depth of 4 m in a clay deposit, the overconsolidation ratio is 3.0. Plot
the variation of overconsolidation ratio and water content with depth for
this deposit up to a depth of 15 m. The recompression index is Cr = 0.05
and the water content at 4 m is 32%.

Solution 9.6
e o = wG s  0.32  2.7 = 0.864
 G  1 2.7  1
    s  w 
 9.8 = 8.9 kN/ m 3
 1  e o  1 .864
zo   z  8.9  4  35.6 kPa
zc  zo  OCR = 35.6  3 = 106.8 kPa
Let e c be the void ratio at  zc
  
e c  e o  C r log zc  = 0.864 – 0.05 log(3) = 0.84
  zo 
Equation for unloading line is: e = 0.84 + 0.05 log (OCR)
Assume a saturated soil, e = wG s = 2.7w. Substituting for e in the above equation gives
w = 0.311 + 0.0185 log (OCR)
 106.8 12
Now OCR = zc  
 z 8.9z z
 12 
 w = 0.311 + 0.0185 log  
 z 

OCR & Water content (%)

0.0 20.0 40.0
0
Depth (m)

5 Water
content
10
OCR
15

20
9.7 The overconsolidation ratio of a saturated clay at a depth of 5 m is 6.0 and
its water content is 38%. It is believed that the clay has become
overconsolidated as a result of erosion. Calculate the thickness of the soil
layer that was eroded. Assume that the groundwater level is at the ground
surface for both the past and present conditions.

Solution 9.7

OCR = 6.0 at 5m w = 0.38

1  w  w 1  .38 9.8
 = = = 18 kN/ m 3
w 1 0.38 1
 
S GS 1 2.7

 can also be computed as below

wG s
e  1.026
S
G e
 sat  s   w  18kN / m
3

 1  e 

 zo = 5(18 – 9.8) = 41 kPa

 zc
OCR = ;  zc = 6  41 = 246 kPa
 zo
Assume past unit weight did not change.
z(18 – 9.8) = 246  z = 30m
Thickness of eroded region = 30 – 5 = 25m
9.8 An oedometer test on a saturated clay soil gave the following results: Cc =
0.2, Cr = 0.04, OCR = 4.5. The existing vertical effective stress in the field
is 130 kPa.A building foundation will increase the vertical stress at the
center of the clay by 150 kPa. The thickness of the clay layer is 2 m and its
water content is 28%.
(a) Calculate the primary consolidation settlement.
(b) What would be the difference in settlement if OCR were 1.5 instead of 4.5?

Solution 9.8

H o  2000mm, zo  130 kPa,  z  150 kPa, w  0.28, OCR 4.5

zc  4.5  130  585 kPa

e o  wG s  2.7  0.28  0.76

fin  zo  z  130  150  280 kPa  585 kPa

2000 280
c  0.04 log 15mm
1 0.76 130
If OCR = 1.5 then  zc = 1.5 130  195 kPa <  fin (=280 kPa)

2000  280 
 c = 0.04 log 1.5   0.2 log
1  0.76  195 
= 43.7mm

Difference in settlement = 43.7 – 15 = 28.7 mm

First printing of Textbook

Due to a typo in the first printing, the increase in stress was 50 kPa rather than 150 kPa.
The solution for this case is as follows.

H o  2000mm, zo
  130 kPa,  z  50 kPa, w  0.28, OCR 4.5
zc  4.5  130  585 kPa

e o  wG s  2.7  0.28  0.76

fin  zo  z  130  50  180 kPa  585 kPa

2000 180
c  0.04 log  6.4mm
1 0.76 130
If OCR = 1.5 then  zc = 1.5 130  195 kPa >  fin (=180 kPa)
Therefore, the settlement would be the same.
9.9 A building is expected to increase the vertical stress at the center of a 2 m
thick clay layer by 100 kPa. If mv is 4 × 10−4 m2/kN, calculate the primary
consolidation settlement.

Solution 9.9

m v = 4  10 4 m 2 / kN,  z = 100 kPa, H o = 2m

 c  m v  z H o  4  10 4  100  2  8  10 2 m = 80 mm
9.10 Two adjacent bridge piers rest on clay layers of different thickness but with
the same properties. Pier #1 imposes a stress increment of 100 kPa to a 3 m
thick layer while Pier #2 imposes a stress increment of 150 kPa to a 5 m
thick layer. What is the differential settlement between the two piers if mv =
3 × 10−4 m2/kN?

Solution 9.10

 pc  mv  z H o

Pier 1:  pc  3  10 4  100  3 mm

Pier 2:  pc  3  10 4  150  5 mm

Differential settlement = 3  10 4 750  300 = 0.135m = 135 mm

9.11 The table below shows data recorded during an oedometer test on a soil sample for an
increment of vertical stress of 200 kPa. At the start of the loading, the sample height was 19.17
mm.

Time (min) 0 0.25 1 4 9 16 36 64 100

Settlement (mm) 0 0.30 0.35 0.49 0.61 0.73 0.90 0.95 0.97

After 24 hours the settlement was negligible and the void ratio was 1.20, corresponding to a sample height of 18.2
mm. Determine Cv using the root time and the log time methods.
Solution 9.11

efinal = 1.2, final height = 18.2 mm

Initial height = 18.2 mm + 0.97 mm = 19.17 mm

Time Root settlement

time
0 0 0 square root of time
0.25 0.5 0.3
1 1 0.35 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
4 2 0.49
9 3 0.61 0

settlement (mm)
16 4 0.73 0.2
36 6 0.9
64 8 0.95 0.4
100 10 0.97
0.6
t 90 6.8^2 46.24 0.8
Hav (19.17+18.2)/2 = 18.69mm
1
Hdr 9.34
Cv 1.60
2
mm /min
1.2
Log method
do 0.22 log time
d100 0.95 0.1 1 10 100
d50 0.585 0
t50 9 0.2 do
settlemen t (mm)

2
Cv 1.91 mm /min
0.4
0.6
0.8
1 d100
1.2
 9.12 A sample of saturated clay of height 20 mm and water content of 30% was tested
in an oedometer. Loading and unloading of the sample were carried out. The
thickness Hf of the sample at the end of each stress increment/decrement is shown
in the table below.

σ′z (kPa) 100 200 400 200 100

Hf (mm) 20 19.31 18.62 18.68 18.75

(a) Plot the results as void ratio versus log σ′z.

(b) Determine Cc and Cr.
(c) Determine mv between σ′z = 200 kPa and σ′z = 300 kPa.

Solution 9.12

H = H o = 20 mm,  zo = 100 kPa, w = 0.30 (S = 1.0), e o = WG s = 2.7 (0.30) = 0.81

Ho
Calculate the height of solids H s  : H s 
20
  11.05 mm
1  e o 1.81
Equation to use: Eq. (9.6) to calculate e and eq. (93) to calculate  z

stress h z e 
(kPa) (mm) (mm) (%)
100 20 0 0.81 0
200 19.31 0.69 0.748 3.45
400 18.62 1.38 0.686 6.9
200 18.68 1.32 0.691 6.6
100 18.75 1.25 0.697 6.25 Vertical effective stress

0 200 400 600

0.82
0
0.8
1
ver tical strain

0.78
2
void ratio

0.76
3
0.74
4
0.72
5
0.7
6
0.68
7
0.66 8
10 100 1000
Vertical effective stress (log scale)

(b) Calculate C c and C r

0.686  0.81
Cc   0.206
 400 
log 
 100 
 0.686  0.697 
Cr =  0.018
 400 
log 
 100 

(c) from  z versus  z graph at vertical effective stresses of 200 kPa and 300 kPa
 z  5  3.45 = 1.55%
 1.55  4
mv    / 100 = 1.55  10 m kN
2/
 100 
 9.13 A sample of saturated clay, taken from a depth of 5 m, was tested in a
conventional oedometer. The table below gives the vertical stress and the
corresponding thickness recorded during the test.

σ′z (kPa) 100 200 400 800 1600 800 400 100
h (mm) 19.2 19.0 17.0 14.8 12.6 13.1 14.3 15.9

The water content at the end of the test was 40% and the initial height was 20 mm.

(a) Plot a graph of void ratio versus σ′z (log scale).

(b) Determine Cc and Cr.

(c) Determine mv between σ′z = 400 kPa and σ′z = 500 kPa.

(d) Determine the relationship between e (void ratio) and h (thickness).

(e) Determine σ′zc using Casagrande’s method.

Solution 9.13

Void ratio at the end of the test efin = wGs =(0.4)(2.7)=1.08

 z fin
efin 
Ho 1.08  0.21
eo =   1.63
 z fin 1  0.21
1
Ho

 z (kPa) 100 200 400 800 1600 800 400 100

h (mm) 19.20 19.00 17.00 14.80 12.60 13.10 14.30 15.90
 z = [(20-h)/20] 0.04 0.05 0.15 0.26 0.37 0.35 0.29 0.21

z 1.53 1.50 1.24 0.95 0.66 0.71 0.87 1.08

e  eo  ( 1  e0 )
H0

1.6
1.4 Vertical effective stress
1.2
void ratio

1 0 500 1000 1500 2000

0.8 0
0.6 0.05
0.1
vertical strain

0.4
0.2 0.15
0 0.2
10 100 1000 10000 0.25
0.3
vertical effective stress(log scale) 0.35
0.4
 1.34  0.83 0.97  0.68
(b) C c  = 0.98 Cr = = 0.41
 1000   1000 
log  log 
 300   200 

0.18  0.15
(c) m v  = 0.0003 m 2 /kN
500  400

(d) e  e0 
 20  h 1  e0   e 
20  h 1  e0 
, h is current thickness and Ho is the initial thickness
0
H0 20

(e) The overconsolidation vertical effective stress is very pronounced from the e – log (vertical effective
stress ) plot.  zc = 200 kPa
 9.14 The following data were recorded in an oedometer test on a clay sample 100 mm
in diameter and 30 mm high.

Load (N) 0 50 100 200 400 800 0

Displacement gauge reading (mm) 0 0.48 0.67 0.98 1.24 1.62 1.4

At the end of the test, the wet mass of the sample was 507.3 grams and, after oven drying,
its dry mass was 412.5 grams. The specific gravity was 2.65.
(a) Calculate the void ratio at the end of the test.
(b) Calculate the void ratio at the end of each loading step.
(c) Calculate the initial thickness of the soil sample from the initial void ratio and
compare this with the initial thickness.
(d) Determine mv between σ′z = 50 kPa and σ′z = 150 kPa.

Solution 9.14

Clay sample Diameter: 100mm Height: 30mm

Load 0 50 100 200 400 800 0

Dial reading 0 0.48 0.67 0.98 1.24 1.62 1.4

End of Test: wet mass: 507.3g dry mass: 412.5g

507.3  412.5
w= = 0.23
412.5
(a) e fin = .23  2.65 = 0.610
(b)
 z fin 1.4
efin  0.61 
Ho 30  0.689
eo = 
 z fin 1
1.4
1
Ho 30

Void Ratio for each loading step

Load 0 50 100 200 400 800 0

Void Ratio 0.689 0.662 0.652 0.633 0.620 0.598 0.61
 z =Δz/Ho 0 0.016 0.022 0.033 0.041 0.054 0.047
(c)
 z fin  e fin
=
Ho 1  eo
1  eo  z fin 1  0.689  (1.4)
Ho  =  29.93 mm
 e fin (0.689  0.61)
(d)
 z at 150 kPa is approximately the vaerave vertical strain between 100 kPa and 200 kPa = 0.5(0.022 +
0.033) = 0.0275
0.0275  0.016
mv   1.15  104 m2 / kN
150  50
9.15 A laboratory consolidation test on a 20 mm thick sample of soil shows that
90% consolidation occurs in 30 minutes. Plot a settlement (degree of
consolidation)–time curve for a 10 m layer of this clay in the field for (a)
single drainage and (b) double drainage.

Solution 9.15
Lab consolidation test:
H o = 20mm, t 90 = 30 minutes = 5.7  10 5 years, H dr  H o = 0.01m

Tv = 0.848 for 90% consolidation

0.8480.01m 2
2
Tv H dr
Cv   5
= 1.48 m 2 /year
t 5.7  10
Single Drainage 10m layer H dr = 10m

double single
U(%) Tv t (years) t (years)
0 0 0.00 0.00
10 0.008 0.14 0.54
20 0.031 0.52 2.09
30 0.071 1.20 4.80
40 0.126 2.13 8.51
50 0.196 3.31 13.24
60 0.286 4.83 19.32
70 0.403 6.81 27.23
80 0.567 9.58 38.31
90 0.848 14.32 57.30

100
80
60
U (%)

double
40 single

20
0
0.00 20.00 40.00 60.00 80.00
time (years)
9.16 A clay layer below a building foundation settles 15 mm in 200 days after
the building was completed. According to the oedometer results, this
settlement corresponds to an average degree of consolidation of 25%. Plot
the settlement–time curve for a 10 year period, assuming double drainage.

Solution 9.16
S
U= t
S
where U = degree of consolidation , S t = settlement at time t and S = total settlement.
15
 S= = 60 mm
0.25
U 2   0.25 2
Time factor for 25 % consolidation, T25    0.049
4 4
2
H
T25  
2
Cv 
t 25
200
t 25  = 0.55 year
365
Assume H dr is constant and since C v is constant, we get
 Tv   Tv  0.49  Tv 
        , t 2 = 1.22 Tv 2
 t 1  t 2 0.55  t 2

For different degrees of consolidation, calculate Tv 2 and then t 2 as shown in the table.

U(%) T t 2 (yr) S t (mm)

0 0 0 0
10 0.008 0.09 6
25 0.049 0.55 15
30 0.071 0.8 18
40 0.126 1.41 24
50 0.197 2.21 30
60 0.287 3.22 36
70 0.403 4.52 42
80 0.567 6.36 48
90 0.848 9.518 54
9.17 An oil tank is to be sited on a soft alluvial deposit of clay. Below the soft clay is a
thick layer of stiff clay. It was decided that a circular embankment, 10 m diameter,
with wick drains inserted into the soft clay would be constructed to preconsolidate
it. The height of the embankment is 6 m and the unit weight of the soil comprising
the embankment is 18 kN/m3. The following data are available: thickness of soft
clay = 7 m, ks = 1 × 10−10 m/s and Ch = 0.6 m2/yr. The desired degree of
consolidation is 90% in 12 months. Determine the spacing of a square grid of the
wick drains. Assume wick drain of size 100 mm × 3 mm and qw = 0.1 × 10−6 m3/s.
The flow point distance is 4 m. Assume a half-closed system.

Solution 9.17

Given Data:

Thickness of clay (soil) layer (L) = 7m,

Drain configuration: Square (s), Drain width (h) = 100 mm, Drain thickness (b) = 3 mm

Degree of consolidation (U) = 90%, Desired time (t) = 12 months = 365 days
Coefficient of horizontal consolidation (Ch) = 0.6 m2/yr = 1.9 108 m2 / sec

Soil permeability (ks) = 11010 m / sec  0.01108 m / sec

Distance to flow point (z) = 4 m

Discharge capacity (qw) = 0.1106 m3 / sec

Using the spreadsheet wick.xls at www.wiley.com/college/budhu.

Spacing 4.19 m
Drain configuration s s = square, t = triangular
Drain width 100 mm
thickness 3 mm
degree of consolidation 90 %
Coef. of horz. Consolidation 1.9 x 10-8 m2/s
time 365 days
soil thickness 7 m
Distance to flow point 4 m
discharge capacity 0.1 x 10-6 m3/s
Soil permeability 0.01 x 10-8 m/s
diameter of influence 4.76 m
Equivalent D 66 mm
ks/qw ratio 0.1 x 10 -2
calculated time 365 days

The spacing is 4.19 m, use a spacing of 4.2 m.

9.18 Fig. P9.18 shows the soil profile at a site for a proposed office building. It
is expected that the vertical stress at the top of the clay will increase by 150
kPa and at the bottom by 90 kPa. Assuming a linear stress distribution
within the clay, calculate the consolidation settlement. [Hint: You should
divide the clay into five equal layers, compute the settlement for each layer,
and then find the total settlement.] Groundwater level is at the top of the
clay layer. An oedometer test on a sample of the clay revealed that the time
for 90% consolidation on a 20 mm thick sample occurred in 40 minutes.
The sample was drained on the upper and lower boundaries. How long will
it take for 50% consolidation to occur in the field?

Solution 9.18

2.7  0.23  2.7  0.9  0.69 

Sand: e =  0.69     9.8 = 19.3 kN m 3
0.9  1  0.69 
 2.7  1.08 
Clay: e = 2.7  0.4 = 1.08  sat    9.8 = 17.8 kN m 3
 1  1.08 
   17.8 – 9.8 = 8 kN m 3

The variation of the increase in vertical stress from the surface load is  z = 150 – 6z kPa where z is the
depth below the clay layer
Divide the clay layer into 5 parts, each 2m thick. Calculate  z ,  z and  final at the center of each layer
and then calculate  c .
H   final  2000  0.3  
 c = C c log   =
 log  final  since OCR = 1

1  eo   zo  2.08   zo 

Layer  zo  z  final  c

kPa kPa kPa kPa
1 104.5 144 248.5 108.5
2 120.5 132 252.5 92.7
3 136.5 120 256.5 79
4 152.5 108 260.5 67.1
5 169 96 265 56.4
Total Settlement  403.7mm

T90 H dr2 0.848  0.012

Calculate C v =   1440  365  1.11 m 2 year
t 90 40
For single drainage, the time required for 50% consolidation in the field is:
T H2 0.197  10 2
t 50  50 dr   17.75 years
Cv 1.11
 9.19 A borehole at a site for a proposed building reveals the following soil
profile:

0–5 m Dense sand,  = 18 kN/m3, sat = 19 kN/m3

At 4 m Groundwater level
5–10 m Soft normally consolidated clay, sat = 17.5 kN/m3
Below 10 m Impervious rock

A building is to be constructed on this site with its foundation at 2 m below ground

level. The building load is 30 MN and the foundation is rectangular with a
width of 10 m and length of 15 m. A sample of the clay was tested in an
oedometer and the following results were obtained:

Vertical stress (kPa) 50 100 200 400 800

Void ratio 0.945 0.895 0.815 0.750 0.705

Calculate the primary consolidation settlement. Assuming that the primary

consolidation took 5 years to achieve in the field, calculate the secondary
compression for a period of 10 years beyond primary consolidation. The
secondary compression index is Cc/6. [Hint: Determine ep for your σ′fin from a
plot of e versus σ′z (log scale).]

Solution 9.19

4m
3m Dense sand 5m

Soft clay 5m

Vertical Stress (kPa) 50 100 200 400 800

Void Ratio 0.945 0.895 0.815 0.75 0.705
 1

void ratio
0.9

0.8

0.7
10 100 1000
Log vertical effective stress

.75  .895
Cc =  0.24
 400 
log  
 100 

30 MN
Stress from foundation = 0.2 MPa
10  15
Depth to center of clay layer from foundation: z = 5.5m
From the utility STRESS (www.wiley.com/budhu/college/budhu),  z = 160 kPa.
Neglect soil overconsolidation due to excavation.
 zo = 4  18 + 1(19 – 9.8) + 2.5(17.5 – 9.8) = 100.4 kPa
 final = 100.4 + 160 = 260.4 kPa
 sat 17.5
Gs  2.7 
w 9.8  1.16
e= 
 sat 17.5
1 1
w 9.8

5000
 0.24 log 
260.4 
 c =  = 230 mm
2.16  100.4 
C c 0.24
C =  = 0.04
6 6
   260.4 
e p = e o  C c log  final  = 1.16 – 0.24 log   = 1.06
 
 zo   100.4 
5000  15 
 sc =  0.04 log  = 46.3mm
1  1.06 5
9.20 Water is pumped from an aquifer as shown in Fig. P9.20 for domestic use.
The original groundwater level was at the top of the soft clay and dropped by
10 m. The ground surface subsided.
(a) Assuming that the subsidence is due to the settlement of the soft clay, estimate
the settlement of the ground surface.
(b) A decision was made to recharge the aquifer by pumping water from a canal.
If the groundwater level were to return to its original level, would the ground
surface return to its original elevation? If so, why? If not, why not? Show
calculations to support your answer. How much recovery (expansion of soil) is
possible using the one-dimensional consolidation theory?
Solution 9.20

(a) Groundwater decline

2
w  55%; CC  0.4; Cr  0.05; CV  0.04 m ; OCR  1.0
yr
k x  5 106 cm ; k y  1106 cm
sec sec

w  Gs 0.55  2.7
Clay: eo    1.485
S 1.0
 G  Se   2.7  1.0  1.485 
 sat   s   w    9.8  16.5 kN 3
 1  e   1  1.485  m

Initial stresses at the center of the clay layer:

 ZO
  (20   1 )  (2.5   sat )  (2.5   w )  (20 17)  (2.5  16.5)  (2.5  9.81)  356.8kPa

The change in effective stress from the drop in groundwater level in the clay is
 Z (After water level drops) =  w  2.5  9.8  2.5  24.5kPa
 final = 356.8 + 24.5 = 381.3 kPa
 Ho   final  5000  381.3 
 c = C c log   =  0.4 log    23 mm
1  eo   zo  1  1.485  356.8 
(b) Recharge

Soils are non-linear materials. The compression (consolidation) is not equal to the expansion (uplift).
If the clay were overconsolidated and the sum of the vertical effective stress changes from the
groundwater decline and the initial vertical effective stress is less the past maximum vertical effective
stress, then theoretically the ground surface would return to its original elevation because the clay will
behave elastically. In this case, the clay is normally consolidated, so the ground surface elevation will
not be recovered by recharge.

The change in void ratio at the end of the consolidation of the soft clay is
z 0.023
e  (1  eo )  (1  1.485)  0.0114
Ho 5
e = 1.485 – 0.0114 = 1.474
The uplift (recovery) from the rise in groundwater level is
Ho   final  5000  381.3 
 uplift = C r log   =  0.05 log    3mm
1 e   zo  1  1.474  356.8 
You can get a quick estimate from:

Cr 0.05
 uplift   pc  23   3mm
Cc 0.4
6.20 continued
e
loading
eo=1.485
Cc
1.4734

'zc 'z final '

When the water table returns to its original level:

Z inital  381.3kPa

Z final  356.76kPa
e  e o  e  1.485  0.0116  1.4734
5  0.05  356.76 
 rebound   log    0.00292m  2.9mm
1  1.4734  381.3 
The ground surface does not return to original level. Recovery of 2.9mm:

2.9
% Recovery =  100%  12.5%
23
9.21 A route for a proposed 8 m wide highway crosses a region with a 4 m thick
saturated, soft, normally consolidated clay above impermeable rock. Groundwater
level is at 1 m below the surface. The geotechnical data available during the
preliminary design stage consist of Atterberg limits (LL = 68% and PL = 32%) and
the natural water content (w = 56%). Based on experience, the geotechnical engineer
estimated the coefficient of consolidation as 8 m2 per year. To limit settlement, a 4 m
high embankment will be constructed as a surcharge from fill of unit weight 16
kN/m3.
(a) Estimate the compression and recompression indices (Hint: See Section 9.9).

(b) Estimate the total primary consolidation settlement under the center of the
embankment.

(c) Plot a time-settlement curve under the center of the embankment.

(d) How many years will it take for 50% consolidation to occur?

(e) Explain how you would speed up the consolidation.

(f) Estimate the rebound (heave) when the surcharge is removed.

2 1

Solution 9.21

(a)

qs = H = 16 x 4 = 64 kPa

Soft clay: eo = wGs = 0.56 x 2.7 = 1.5

From Section 9.9 : Cc = 0.009 (LL – 10) = 0.009 (68 – 10) = 0.52

Cr = 0.003 (w + 7) = 0.003(56 +7) = 0.189

Or

Cr = 0.15 (eo + 0.007) = 0.15(1.5+0.007) = 0.226

Average vale of Cr = (0.189 +0.226)/2 = 0.21

This give a ratio of Cc /Cr = 2.5, which is generally low. We will use Cr = 0.21 as a first approximation.

(b)

Using the program stress, we get the following vertical stress increase at the center of the clay. The
embankment and the soil profile under it are symmetrical about the Z-axis (vertical axis). The problem
only requires the settlement under the center of the embankment. We will calculate the settlement for
two points; one is under the center of the embankment. Select two points at the center of the soft clay
as shown in Figure P9.21.

qs (kPa) 64 64 64
B (m) 8 8 8
x (m) 8 0 4
z (m) 2 2 2
z
(kPa) 27 31.8 61.4
+ 1.9
Point 2 1
The additional vertical stress increase of 1.9 kPa at the center of the levee is due to the two triangular
loads.

Since the soil is normally consolidated, OCR = 1.

Ho '
ρpc = Cc log fin
1  eo ' zo

A spreadsheet is used to do the calculations as shown below.

z zo pc

Point H (kPa) (kPa) fin(kPa) (mm)
1 4 63.3 13.4 76.7 630
2 4 58.8 13.4 72.2 609
(c)

Assume the total settlement corresponds to 90% consolidation.

Cv 8 m2/yr
Hdr 4 m
Settlement (mm)
Point
U (%) Tv t (yr) 2 1
0 0 0 0 0
10 0.008 0.004 68 70
20 0.031 0.0155 135 140
30 0.071 0.0355 203 210
40 0.126 0.063 271 280
50 0.197 0.0985 338 350
60 0.287 0.1435 406 420
70 0.403 0.2015 474 490
80 0.567 0.2835 541 560
90 0.848 0.424 609 630

Time-settlement curve at the center

of the fill
Time (years)
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5
0
100
200
Settlement 300
(mm) 400
500
600
700

(d) 0.28 years

(e) Use wick drains

(e) The void ratio at the end of the consolidation is

 ( ) ( )

Ho ' 4000 76.7

ρuplift = Cr log fin   0.21log  302mm
1  e fin ' zo 1  1.106 13.4

This rebound is large because of the large estimated Cr value.

9.22 A covered steel ( unit weight = 80 kN/m3 ) tank, 15 m diameter x 10 m high and
20 mm wall thickness is filled with liquid (unit weight = 9 kN/m3) up to a height of
9.9 m. The tank sits on a concrete (unit weight = 25 kN/m3) foundation, 15 m
diameter x 0.6 m thick. The foundation rests on the surface of a 5 m thick soft,
normally consolidated clay above a thick layer of gravel. The geotechnical data of the
clay are: Cc = 0.6, Cr = 0.08, Cv = 1 m2/year (some printing of the textbook has Cv =
10 m2/year) and w = 48%. Groundwater level is at 0.5 m below the surface. Assume
the foundation is flexible.
(a) Calculate the primary consolidation settlement at the center of the tank
(b) Calculate the differential consolidation settlement between the center and the edge of
the tank.
(c) Calculate the time for 90% consolidation to occur.
(d) The tank was loaded to half its capacity and kept there for 2 years. Calculate the
settlement. The tank was then drained, calculate the rebound.
Solution 9.22

15 m diam. x 10 m high tank

0.5 m
15 m diam. x 0.6 m thick foundation
Soft clay 5m

Gravel Thick

Unit weight of steel = 80 kN/m3

Weight of tank = weight of tank wall + top and bottom plates = ( ) (
)
Weight of foundation = ( )
Total dead load = 989.1 + 2649.4 = 3638.5 kN
Average dead load vertical stress = 3638.5/( = 20.6 kPa
Live load (stress) from liquid = 9 x 10 = 90 kPa
Total vertical stress = 90 + 20.6 = 110.6 kPa
Determine increase in vertical stress at center of clay from Appendix B
Radius of tank, ro = 7.5 m
z/ro = 2.5/7.5 = 0.33; At center: r = o ; At edge: radii offset = r/ro = 1
From Appendix B;
Center: for z/ro = 0.33, r = 0,
Edge: for z/ro = 0.33, r/ro = 1,
(a)
eo = 0.48 x 2.7 = 1.296
sat = (2.7 + 1.296) x 9.8/2.296 = 17 kN/m3
 zo = 2.5(17– 9.8) = 18 kPa
 fin = 18 + 107 = 125 kPa
Ho ' 5000 125
ρpc  Cc log fin   0.6log  1101 mm (very large)
1  eo ' zo 1  1.296 18
(b) Settlement at edge.
Ho ' 5000 55  18
ρpc  Cc log fin   0.6log  796 mm
1  eo ' zo 1  1.296 18
Differential settlement = 1101 – 796 = 305 mm
(c)
If your textbook has Cv = 10 m2/yr
0.848H dr2 0.848  2.52
t90    0.53 years
Cv 10
If your textbook has Cv = 1 m2/yr
0.848H dr2 0.848  2.52
t90    5.3 years
Cv 1
(d)
Neglect creep effects.
For the tank at half the capacity .
 fin = 18 + 20.6 + 90/2 = 83.6 kPa
the total primary consolidation settlement is:
Ho ' 5000 83.6
ρpc  Cc log fin   0.6log  871 mm
1  eo ' zo 1  1.296 18

If your textbook has Cv = 10 m2/yr

Cvt 10  2
Tv    3.2 ; the clay has been fully consolidated, i.e. the settlement at the center of the tank is 871
H dr2 2.52
mm.

If your textbook has Cv = 1 m2/yr

Cvt 1 2
Tv    0.32
H dr2 2.52
From Figure 9.9, U = 63%
The primary consolidation settlement at the center of the tank is 0.63 x 871 = 549 mm

   83.6 
 Cc log  fin  = 1.296 – 0.6 log 
The void ratio at the end of primary consolidation is e p = e o  = 0.895
  zo   18 
Ho ' 5000 83.6
ρrebound  Cr log fin   0.08log  141 mm
1  ep ' zo 1  0.895 18