STUDENT CODE OF ETHIC

(SCE)
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING & BUILT ENVIRONMENTAL

I, hereby confess that I have prepared this report on my own effort. I also admit not
to receive or give any help during the preparation of this report and pledge
that everything mentioned in the report is true.

_________________
Student Signature

Name : …………………………………………

Matric No. : …………………………………………

Date : …………………………………………
 GEOTECHNICS LAB

GROUP REPORT
Code of Subject BFC 31901
Code of Experiment
Title of Experiment
Date of Experiment
Session/ Group No.
Name of Group Leader
Members of Group 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Lecturer/Instructor/Tutor
Date of Submission

Criteria 1 2 3 4 5 SCR WT TSCR (%)

● Report is not ● Report is lacks ● Good representation ● Accurate ● Accurate

well precision of the report using representation of the representation of the
represented tables and/or graphs report using tables report using tables
● Precision of report is and/or graphs and/or graphs
acceptable ● Report is fairly ● Graphs and tables are
Report precise labeled and titled
● Report is precise
6

● Trends/ ● Trends/ patterns ● Trends/patterns are ● Trends/ patterns are ● Trends/ patterns are
patterns are not are not analyzed logically analyzed logically analyzed logically analyzed
analyzed ● Answers to for the most part ● Questions are ● Questions are
● Questions are questions are ● Questions are answered in answered thoroughly
Analysis not answered incomplete answered in complete sentences and in complete
● Analysis is not ● Analysis is complete sentences ● Analysis is sentences 6
relevant inconsistent ● Analysis is general thoughtful ● Analysis is insightful

● No discussion ● A discussion ● A discussion ● Accurate discussion ● Accurate discussion

and conclusion statement and statement and statement and statement and
were included conclusion of conclusion of the conclusion of the conclusion of the
or showed little the results is results of the results of the results of the
effort and incomplete with experiment indicates experiment indicates experiment indicates
reflection on little reflection whether results whether results whether results
Discussion & the experiment on the support the support the support the hypothesis
Conclusion experiment hypothesis hypothesis ● Possible sources of 8
● Possible sources of error identified and
error identified lesson learnt from the
experiment was
discussed and
concluded

Name of Accessor: Signature: Date: Total Score

/100

Comment by Assessor Acknowledgement of Receive

 FACULTY: CIVIL ENG. & BUILT ENVIRONMENT PAGE NO.:
EDITION:
DEPARTMENT: CIVIL ENGINEERING
REVIEW NO.:
EFFECTIVE
14/05/20
TEST TITLE: CONSOLIDATION TEST DATE:
AMENDMENT
14/05/20
DATE:

1.0 OBJECTIVE
TO DETERMINE THE CONSOLIDATION CHARACTERISTICS OF SOILS OF LOW
PERMEABILITY

2.0 LEARNING OUTCOME

At the end of this experiment, students are able to:
● Conduct one dimensional consolidation test
● Identify the factors causes soil consolidation
● Determine the consolidation parameters (cv, mv, Cc and Pc)

3.0 THEORY

When a fully saturated soil is subjected to a compressive stress, its volume tends to decrease. The
decreasing of its volume is due to compression of the solid grains and escape of water from the voids.
In a free drainage soil such as saturated sand the escape of water can take place rapidly. But in clay,
due to low permeability, the movement of water occurs very much slowly and therefore, considerable
time may be required for excess water to be squeezed out to permeable boundaries.

Settlement is the direct result of the decrease in soil volume and consolidation is the rate of volume
decrease with time. The consolidation test is use to estimate the amount of settlement and time of
consolidation. From this test some consolidation parameters such as coefficient of consolidation (c v),
coefficient of volume compressibility (mv), compression index (Cc), preconsolidation pressure (Pc) can
be determined.

There are two methods for determining the coefficient of consolidation:

(i) Casagrande or log (time) or 50% consolidation
(ii) Taylor or √ time or 90% consolidation

The coefficient of consolidation can be determined by this equation,

T v H2
cv =
t (3.1)
Where, cv = coefficient of consolidation (m2/year)
Tv = Time factor
H = Maximum length of drainage path (m)
t = Time to achieve 50% or 90% consolidation (year or minute)
 Figure 3.1: Settlement versus log Time

Figure 3.2: Settlement versus square root time

4.0 TEST EQUIPMENTS

1. Consolidation apparatus
- Consolidation ring
- Corrosion-resistant porous plate
- Consolidation cell
 - Dial Gauge
- Loading device

2. Balance readable to 0.1g

3. Vernier caliper
4. Stop-clock readable to 1 s

5.0 PROCEDURES

1. Measure the internal diameter (D) and the height of the ring, using internal vernier calipers.
2. Weight the ring to the nearest 0.01g (mR).
3. Cutting the specimen and trimming into ring.
4. Determine the initial moisture content from trimming soil.
5. Determine the weight of ring and specimen (m1)
6. Determine the mass of bulk specimen (m) to the nearest 0.01g using this equation

m = m 1 – mR

7. Place the consolidation ring and specimen (cutting edge uppermost) centrally on the porous
disc.
8. Fit the ring retainer and cell body and then place the upper porous disc centrally on top of the
specimen.
9. Place the consolidation cell centrally in position on the platform of the machine base.
10. Lift the end of the beam to allow the loading yoke to be raised to the vertical position and adjust
the loading stem by screwing it downwards until the end engages closely in the recess on the
top of the loading cap
11. Attach the compression dial gauge to the arm on the support post.
12. Add weight (2.5 kg) carefully to the load hanger
13. Add water at room temperature to the cell and make sure that the specimen and upper porous
disc are completely submerged.
14. Wind down the beam support and at the same time start the clock.
15. Observe the compression gauge readings and the clock, and record the readings on a
consolidation test form at the selected time intervals.
16. Plot the readings of the compression against time to a logarithmic scale and against square-
root-time.

6.0 DEMONSTRATION

A detailed procedure of the consolidation test can be seen in this video. Click this link to watch the
related video. (https://youtu.be/wKdAbLamsvU)
7.0 CALCULATION EXAMPLE

Date started: 9/7/07 Sample No.: A1 - 1

Soil Type: Silty clay Cell No: 4

BEFORE TEST

Moisture content from trimming: 22.9 (%) S.G. (Assumed) : 2.7

Weight of ring : 439.35 (g) Diameter of ring : 74.9 (mm)
Weight of sample + ring: 260.43 (g) Area of ring: 4406 (mm2)
Weight of sample : 178.92 (g) Thickness of ring: 20.1 (mm)
Weight of dry sample: 145.35 (g) Volume of ring : 88.56 (mm3)
Weight of initial moisture: 33.57 (g) Density, ρ : 2.02 (Mg/m3)
Initial moisture content: 23.1 (%) Dry density, ρd : 1.64 (Mg/m3)

Gs
−1
Initial void ratio,
ρd = 0.622

SETTLEMENT READINGS
Elapse time Cumulative
Time Clock Gauge
hr min sec √ time compression, ΔH
(min) time reading
(mm)
0 0 0 8.00 am 0 0
10 0.17 0.41 21 21 x 0.002 = 0.04
20 0.33 0.57 23 23 x 0.002 = 0.05
30 0.50 0.71 25 25 x 0.002 = 0.05
50 0.83 0.91 35 35 x 0.002 = 0.07
1 1 1.00 8.01 am 41 41 x 0.002 = 0.08
2 2 1.41 8.02 am 49 49 x 0.002 = 0.10
4 4 2.00 8.04 am 58 58 x 0.002 = 0.12
8 8 2.83 8.08 am 66 66 x 0.002 = 0.13
15 15 3.87 8.15 am 75 75 x 0.002 = 0.15
30 30 5.48 8.30 am 86 86 x 0.002 = 0.17
1 60 9.00 am 95 95 x 0.002 = 0.19
2 120 10.00am 107 107 x 0.002 = 0.21
4 240 12.00 pm 115 115 x 0.002 = 0.23
8 480 4.00 pm 124 124 x 0.002 = 0.25
24 1440 8.00 am 126 126 x 0.002 = 0.25

8.0 RESULTS

CONSOLIDATION TEST – CALCULATION SHEET

Date started:_________________ Sample No.: _______________

 Soil Type: __________________ Cell No: ________________

BEFORE TEST

Moisture content from trimming: _______(%) S.G. (Assumed) : 2.7

Weight of ring : ___________________ (g) Diameter of ring : _______________(mm)
Weight of sample + ring: ____________ (g) Area of ring: ___________________(mm2)
Weight of sample : _______________ (g) Thickness of ring: _______________(mm)
Weight of dry sample: _______________(g) Volume of ring : _________________(mm3)
Weight of initial moisture: ____________(g) Density, ρ : _____________________(Mg/m3)
Initial moisture content: ______________(%) Dry density, ρd : _________________ (Mg/m3)
Gs
−1
Initial void ratio,
ρd = ____________

SETTLEMENT READINGS

Elapse time Cumulative

Time Clock Gauge
hr min sec √ time compression
(min) time reading
, ΔH (mm)
0
10
20
30
50
1
2
4
8
15
30
1
2
4
8
24

9.0 CALCULATIONS
10.0 DISCUSSIONS
11.0 CONCLUSIONS
12.0 QUESTION

a) From your experimental data, determine the coefficient of consolidation, c v (m2/year) using
Casagrande and Taylor method. Please comment your answer.

b) Clay samples collected at depth of 5 meters at Batu Pahat has a saturated unit weight (γsat) of
18 kN/m3. The following data were recorded during an oedometer test.

Effective Stress (kN/m2) 25 50 100 200 400 800 200 50

Void ratio (e) 0.85 0.82 0.71 0.57 0.43 0.3 0.4 0.5

(i) Plot the graph of void ratio against effective stress on semi-log graph and determine the
compression index (Cc) and preconsolidation pressure (Pc).

(ii) Determine the coefficient of volume compressibility (m v).

(iii) Define whether the soil is normally consolidated or over consolidated.

13.0 Appendix

Students are required to use the given data of gauge reading according to your respective group
as listed below.

Date started: 9/2/12 Sample No.: A1 - 1

Soil Type: Silty clay Cell No: 4

BEFORE TEST

Moisture content from trimming: 22.9 (%) S.G. (Assumed) : 2.7

Weight of ring : 439.35 (g) Diameter of ring : 74.9 (mm)
Weight of sample + ring: 260.43 (g) Area of ring: 4406 (mm2)
Weight of sample : 178.92 (g) Thickness of ring: 20.1 (mm)
Weight of dry sample: 145.35 (g) Volume of ring : 88.56 (mm3)
Weight of initial moisture: 33.57 (g) Density, ρ : 2.02 (Mg/m3)
Initial moisture content: 23.1 (%) Dry density, ρd : 1.64 (Mg/m3)

Gs
−1
Initial void ratio,
ρd = 0.622

SETTLEMENT READINGS

Elapse time Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Group 4 Group 5 Group 6 Group 7

hr min sec Gauge reading
0 800 1000 1500 2000 2140 2550 3390
10 830 1070 1512 2020 2141 2552 3400
20 840 1075 1518 2030 2142 2564 3438
30 845 1080 1526 2039 2143 2572 3492
50 848 1088 1534 2050 2145 2584 3538
1 852 1094 1544 2059 2147 2597 3600
2 856 1100 1552 2065 2148 2609 3653
4 860 1106 1559 2072 2151 2620 3700
8 864 1110 1567 2079 2152 2629 3762
15 868 1115 1574 2085 2154 2636 3823
30 871 1123 1580 2092 2156 2644 3869
1 874 1128 1585 2097 2158 2650 3908
2 876 1135 1597 2104 2160 2656 3946
4 878 1139 1604 2111 2163 2661 3979
8 880 1147 1612 2118 2165 2668 3982
24 886 1158 1625 2130 2170 2678 3989