CE313 Laboratory Manual

Consolidation Test

Objective
To determine the consolidation properties (i.e. Coefficient of compression, Coefficient of consolidation
and pressure void ratio relationship) of a given soil sample.
Materials and Apparatus:
Consolidometer, Set of different weights, Dial gauge, Balance, Drying oven, Stop watch, Filter paper,
Vernier caliper, Moisture can, Distilled water.
Procedure
1) Take the empty weight of the consolidometer ring.
2) Measure the height and diameter of the ring.
3) Fit the specimen in the ring by properly trimming the top and the bottom.
4) Weigh the specimen and the ring together.
5) Assemble the consolidometer by placing porous stones both at the top and at the bottom of the
specimen.
6) Place loading pad centrally on the top of the porous stone.
7) Put water inside the consolidation cell for saturation of the specimen.
8) Mount the cell assembly on the loading frame.
9) Put 0.05 kg/cm2 on the loading plate as a seating load.
10) Fix the dial gauge in the position to measure the vertical compression of the specimen.
11) Place a load of 0.01 kg/cm2 on the loading plate, start the stop watch concurrently and record
the dial gauge readings at following time intervals: 15sec, 30 sec, 1min, 5 min, 10min, 15min,
20min and so on.
12) The loadings are increased as follows: 0.1 kg/cm2, 0.2 kg/cm2, 0.5 kg/cm2, 1 kg/cm2, 2 kg/cm2, 4
kg/cm2, 6 kg/cm2. For each load increment, repeat step 11.
13) Un load the specimen in the same load ranges as above by keeping each load for 10 min. Take
the dial gauge readings at time intervals of 1min, 5min and 10min.
14) After complete unloading, immediately remove the specimen with the ring and weigh it; and
then allow it to dry completely in an oven ad weigh again.
15) For each load increment, plot graphs between dial gauge readings versus square root of time in
minute. And also plot a graph between void ratios versus applied load (e-log P curve).
16) From graph calculate the following constants for each load increment.
17) Cc = Compression index = Slope of e-log p curve.
18) Cv = Coefficient of Consolidation = (Tv)90 h2/ t90
where,
(Tv)90 = time required for 90% consolidation.
t90 = time factor corresponding to 90% consolidation
h = Drainage path (longest)
1

CE313 Laboratory Manual

Consolidation Test
Consolidation Dial gauge readings:
Sample No.

Batch:

Start date:

End Date:

Loading

unloading

Time\Wt.s 0.1kg.
15sec
30sec
1min
2min
5min
10min
15min
20min
40min
1hr.
2hr
4hr
8hr.
12hr.
16hr.
24hr.

0.2kg. 0.5kg. 1kg.

2kg.

4kg.

6kg.

4kg.

2kg.

1kg.

0.2kg. 0.1kg.

Coefficient of compressibility:

Initial dial Final dial Change in Change in Height

Height of Final void
(kN/sq.m) reading
reading
reading
ht. (H)
H=HoH voids (H-Hs) ratio e
0.1
0.2
0.5
1
2
4
8
4
2
1
0.5
0.2
0.1

CE313 Laboratory Manual

Consolidation Test
Coefficient of consolidation:

t(min.)
0
0.25
0.5
1
2
5
10
15
20
40
60
120
240
480
720
960
1440

t \

0.1

0.2

0.5

0.5

0.2

0.1