L.

Soobiah
3rd Year (Undergraduate) Geotechnical Engineering Practical – University of Johannesburg
30 March 2010

1. Consolidation Test

1.1. Aim
To determine; the consolidation, pre-consolidation (Pc), over-consolidation ratio (OCR), field
curve, compression index (Cc), re-compression index (Cr) and the coefficient of volume
compressibility (from Po’ to Pc’) of an undisturbed soil sample

1.2. Apparatus
The following apparatus was used:
 Consolidometer
 Dial gauge
 Water bath
 Porous stones
 Weights
 Wax

1.3. Method
The following procedure was performed:
 An undisturbed block sample of soil was recovered from a depth of 3.15 meters below
the ground surface.
 Ground water seepage 2.28 meters above the depth at which the sample was taken, was
noted.
 The sample was sealed in wax and transported to the laboratory.
 The moisture content and specific gravity of the solids were determined.
 The sample was placed in the consolidometer, surrounded by a brass ring.
 Porous stones were placed above and below the sample.
 The sample, ring and porous stones were then submerged in a water bath.
 A dial gauge was then placed above the sample to measure the compression during the
test.
 The first vertical normal load was applied to the sample and then allowed to consolidate
over a period of time
 After the dial gauge reading remains constant (meaning the consolidation level for that
load was reached) the reading was recorded ,and the load increased by the next increment
 The soil was left to consolidate again and the constant gauge reading was recorded.
 This process was repeated several times until a loading of 2000 kPa was reached, after
which the load is decrease in the same increments and readings taken.

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L.Soobiah
3rd Year (Undergraduate) Geotechnical Engineering Practical – University of Johannesburg
30 March 2010

1.4. Results
Table 1.4.1 Practical and calculated data

Applied Pressure Sample Vertical Strain Log Applied

(kPa) Thickness (mm) (ε) Pressure(kPa) Void Ratio(e)
0 20.000 0.00000 0.000 0.778
11 19.982 0.00090 1.041 0.776
25 19.906 0.00470 1.398 0.770
50 19.766 0.01170 1.699 0.757
125 18.969 0.05155 2.097 0.686
250 17.771 0.11145 2.398 0.580
500 16.605 0.16975 2.699 0.476
1000 15.571 0.22145 3.000 0.384
2000 14.763 0.26185 3.301 0.312
1000 14.790 0.26050 3.000 0.315
500 14.831 0.25845 2.699 0.319
250 14.874 0.25630 2.398 0.322
125 14.916 0.25420 2.097 0.326
50 14.981 0.25095 1.699 0.332
25 15.039 0.24805 1.398 0.337
11 15.109 0.24455 1.041 0.343

0.900

0.800

0.700
Void Ratiio(e)

0.600

0.500

0.400

0.300
1 10 100 1000 10000

σz' (kPa)

Figure 1.4.1 Vertical effective stress versus void ratio (semi-logarithmic plot)

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L.Soobiah
3rd Year (Undergraduate) Geotechnical Engineering Practical – University of Johannesburg
30 March 2010

Table 1.4.2 Determined properties

Property Value
Pre-consolidation Pressure 50kPa
Over consolidation Ratio 3
Compression Index 0.25
Re-compression Index 0.015
Coefficient of Volume Compressibility (Po' to Pc') 0.023

1.5. Discussion
From the over-consolidation ratio of 3, the Pre-consolidation stress (Pc) is greater than the
Vertical Effective Stress (σz0'). Thus that the soil was once subjected to greater stresses than it
what it currently is (it is over-consolidated). This means that the soil is classified as slightly
compressible, which is confirmed by the small compression index. If the soil was reloaded the
compression would be less than and preloaded sample of the same soil. Negative pore water
pressures could also have resulted in over-consolidation.