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Lecture 5 Notes - Determination of Rate of Settlement: Terzaghi's One-Dimensional Consolidation Theory

This document summarizes the key aspects of one-dimensional consolidation theory based on Terzaghi's work. It describes the governing differential equation for modeling the rate of change of excess pore water pressure with depth and time. It also defines the coefficient of consolidation and discusses the boundary conditions and solutions for determining degree of consolidation from laboratory tests. Graphical methods are presented for interpreting consolidation test data to evaluate coefficients of compressibility and permeability.

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Selda Durmaz
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617 views4 pages

Lecture 5 Notes - Determination of Rate of Settlement: Terzaghi's One-Dimensional Consolidation Theory

This document summarizes the key aspects of one-dimensional consolidation theory based on Terzaghi's work. It describes the governing differential equation for modeling the rate of change of excess pore water pressure with depth and time. It also defines the coefficient of consolidation and discusses the boundary conditions and solutions for determining degree of consolidation from laboratory tests. Graphical methods are presented for interpreting consolidation test data to evaluate coefficients of compressibility and permeability.

Uploaded by

Selda Durmaz
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Lecture 5 Notes – Determination of Rate of Settlement

Based on Terzaghi’s one-dimensional consolidation theory


Terzaghi derived a governing differential equation for describing the rate change of
excess pore water pressure along the sample depth

Cv2u/z2 ) =  u/ t , where u = excess pore water pressure, z = depth, t = time

Cv = ,
where k = permeability, av = coefficient of compressibility, unit : L2 T -1 or in2 / sec
The boundary condition for our test sample is:

[ Solution ] :

f1(Z) : geometry factor, f2(T) : time factor


where Z = z / Hdr, T = , Hdr2 : longest drained path

Graphic Solution:

∑
Ref. 2
Uz is different for every point at time factor T. (double drained layers)
U = Average Consolidation Ratio

Figure 2: Average consolidation ratio: linear initial excess pore pressure. (Ref 1)
(a) Graphical interpretation of average consolidation (b) U versus T

We know that 2' & 1' relate directly to u2 & u1 (decreases in u increase in ')

therefore, Eq(2) becomes

where

ui = 2' -1'
Uz = 1 100% Consolidation u = 0
Uz = 0 0% Consolidation u = 

Graphic Solution of Uz (Fig. 27-2)


Uz is a function of sample thickness and time factor.
Define a new variable U = Avg. consolidation ratio
(for entire layer, not for a single point), (see Fig.27.3)
Physically U = S(t) / Sc, S(t) is settlement at time t, Sc is total settlement.
U=f(T), (only T)
Example: Given: Cv = 2 x 10-4 in2/sec, Sc = 20 in. (was found by Eq1 Cc &Cs)

Find: Time for S(t) = 10 in.

e0 = 0.62
w = 23.2%
γs 4

σ v
Δσ
[Solution]
U = S(t) / Sc = 10 / 20 = 50%
from Fig. 27.3 
we know T = Cv (t / Hdr2) t = T Hdr2 /Cv 
t = 0.2(30/2210-4) sec = 375 days

In consolidation test, we can obtain Cv value based on one of the following two methods:
(1) Taylor's square root of time fitting method
(2) Casagrande's logarithm of time fitting method
For (1) Cv = T90 Hdr2 / t90 (t90 U = 90%) see Fig 9.9
(2) Cv = T50 Hdr2 / t50 (t50 U = 50%) see Fig 9.7
Ref. 4.

In general, the purposes of consolidation test are:


(1) Find Cc & Cs by plotting e vs. log '
(2) Find c' from e vs. ' plot by using Casagrande's graphical method, and
(3) Find Cv at each stage of ' by plotting square root of time vs. e or log (time)
vs. e and plot Cv vs. ' curve

Reference:
1. Soil Mechanics, T. W. Lambe and R. V. Whitman, Wiley Book Company,1969.

2. An Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering, Robert D. Holtz and William D.


Kovacs, Prentice-Hall Book Company,1984.

3. Geotechnical Engineering - Soil Mechanics, John N. Cernica, Wiley Book


Company, 1995.

4. Engineering Properties of Soils and Their Measurement, Joseph E. Bowles, 4th


Ed., McGraw-Hill Book Company,1992.

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