KAEA3233

SOIL MECHANICS II
SM1 OEDOMETER TEST
GROUP 1

Name
MUHAMMAD FAZREEN BIN SIJEMAT
MOHAMMED HAZIMIN BIN SALAM
MOHAMMAD IRWAN BIN GAZALI
MOHAMMAD ASNAWI BIN AMIRUDDIN
NUR LIYANA BT HASSAN
INTRODUCTION

Matrices No.
KEA110027
KEA110022
KEA120029
KEA120028
KEA120040

Consolidation of soft soil is the process of dissipation of excess pore water pressure in
a row of time. When a surcharge is applied to saturated compressive soil, excess pore water
pressure is built up causing an increase in pore water pressure. Due to the higher
incompressible behavior of pore water compared to soil, the excess pore water will initially
carry the load. After some time, the drainage path opens and water starts moving from region
of higher pressure to the region of lower pressure. Since dissipation of pore water pressure
occurs simultaneously with the squeezing out of the pore water, then pore water pressure
begins to decrease linearly or non-linearly. Afterwards the load will be transferred to the soil
skeleton and compression occurs resulting in decreased volume of the soil mass. This
phenomenon is called consolidation of soil. Consolidation of soil will cause downwards
displacement of buildings or ground structures that may destroy utilities and risk lives.
Oedometer test is a kind of geotechnical investigation performed in geotechnical engineering
that is used to determine the magnitude and rate of consolidation of saturated soil specimen.
The soil specimen is extruded into the consolidation ring and set up in the oedometer
apparatus before it is subjected to one dimensional consolidation pressure. Vertical drainage
is allowed at top and bottom of the specimen. The test is performed by applying different
loads to a soil sample and measuring the deformation response. The results with a sufficient
number of data points are determined to describe the relationship between void ratio and
effective stress for a soil.
The parts of oedometer apparatus are shown in picture below.

A stress-void ratio graph (e-log p curve) is plotted in a semi-logarithmic scale as shown

below.

We can also determine the Swelling Index (C s), Compression Index (Cc) and Coefficient of
Volume Compressibility (mv). The coefficient of consolidation (Cv) and the rate of
consolidation can also be measured using the results of thickness changes of sample against
time during a load step. Then, we will be able to predict how a soil in the field will deform in
response to a change in effective stress.

OBJECTIVES
During this laboratory we will learn about:

One dimensional consolidation equipment

Consolidation behavior of cohesive soils

To determine the compression index (Cc), swelling index (Cs) and coefficient of
permeability (kv)

PREPARATION OF THE SOIL SPECIMEN FOR THE TESTS

The diameter, height and weight of the consolidation ring are measured. The consolidation
ring is then lubricated with silicon grease. The soil specimen is extruded to the consolidation
ring from the sampling tube. The cutting wire is used to cut the soil sample upon extrusion.
Excess soil sample from the extrusion is tested for its moisture content.

PROCEDURE
With the lower porous disc located centrally on the base of the cell, the consolidation ring and
specimen (cutting edge upper most) are lowered centrally on to the disc.
The ring retainer and cell body are fitted around the ring so that it is securely held and the
fixing nuts are tightened progressively. In some types of cell, the body itself acts as the ring
retainer.
The upper porous disc is placed centrally on top of the specimen, checking that the clearance
is equal all round.
The spigot is located on the loading cap into the recess into the upper disc, so that the caps fit
centrally.
The cell is fitted in load frame and the loading yoke is set up.
The beam is adjusted and the dial gauge is set up.

Weights are added to the load hanger to give the required pressure of 6, 25, 50, 100, 200, 400,
800, 1600 and 3200 kPa. However the initial applied pressure is dependent on the softness of
the soil.
In the test, the initial pressure of 25 kPa is applied and the weight is placed carefully on the
load hanger. Fill in water into the soil after 2 minutes.
The settlement readings are then taken at time of 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50s 1, 2, 4, 8, 15, 30
min 1, 2, 4, 8, 24 hours. After 24 hours, the weight is added and the quantity of weight
must be twice more than the previously applied weight.
Unloading: After the maximum loading is applied on the soil and all the settlement readings
are recorded, unloading should take place not all at once but in a series of decrements. Usual
practice is to unload and allow swelling in about half the number of stages as were applied
during consolidation, with not less than two loading stages. Before taking off any weight
from the hanger, the clock is set to zero, and the beam support is winded up so that it just
touches the beam. The beam is held down firmly against the support while the weights are
removed; this requires a second person, except when only small weights are being removed.
The dial gauge is checked so that it shows little or no movement. The beam is released, and at
the same instant the clock is started. There is no need to wind down the wind support because
the beam will rise as the specimen swells. The upper loading cap is ensured to be remained
covered with water. Readings of the compression gauge are taken exactly as the consolidation
stages. After unloading, a specimen of the tested soil is taken for moisture content test in
drying oven at 105C.
RESULT AND CALCULATION
a. Tv = cv.t/(H/2)2 at 90% and 50% degree of consolidation, with the corresponding time
factor, Tv = 0.848 and 0.197 respectively.
b. With the use of Taylor and Merchant method (1940), cv = 0.848(H/2)2/t90 where H is the
specimen height
c. With the use of Casagrande (log time) method, c v = 0.197(H/2)2/t50 where H is the
specimen height

d. Calculate the coefficient of volume compressibility, mv

mv = (e/p)[1/(1+e0))] = H/(H0.p)
where,
e = change in void ratio
eo = initial void ratio
H = Change in specimen height
H0 = Initial height of the specimen
p = Load increment (kN/m2)
e. Plot the void ratio versus the logarithmic of pressure (e-log p curve). Then determine the
compression and swelling indexes (C0 and Cs)
f. Calculate the coefficient of permeability, kv
kv = cv.mv.w
RESULT FROM EXPERIMENT
General data
Mass of the ring + glass plate = 71.1 g
Mass of specimen + ring = 147.6 g
Mass of soil specimen = 76.5 g
Inside diameter of the ring = 48.7 mm
Height of specimen, Hi = 20 mm
Area of specimen, A = 1863 mm2 = 18.63 cm2
Specific gravity of solids, Gs = 2.7
After test
Mass of can = 71.5 g
Mass of can + wet soil = 144.00 g

Mass of wet specimen = 72.50 g

Mass of can + dry soil = 128.00 g
Mass of dry specimen, Ms = 56.5 g
Final moisture content of specimen, wf =

72.50 56.5
x 100 =28.32
56.5

CALCULATIONS
Mass of dry specimen after test, Ms = 56.5 g
Mass of water in specimen after test, Mwf = wf x Ms= 0.2832 x 56.5 = 16.00 g
Height of solids, Hs =

Ms
A x Gs x w

56.5
1863 x 2.7 x 1 x 103

= 11.23 mm

(same before and after test and note w = 1 g/cm3)

Dry density before test, d =

Ms
Hi x A

56.5
=1.516
g/mm3
20.00 x 1863

Day 1 (24 hours)

Load: 2kg
Time (s)

Dial gauge (0.001

mm)

0
10
20
30
40
50
60
120
240
480
900
1800
3600
86400

0.693
0.705
0.712
0.718
0.722
0.726
0.729
0.748
0.771
0.803
0.835
0.856
0.862
0.873

Consolidation pressure =

force
area

Total settlement = 0.873mm

Day 2 (48 hours)

Load: 4kg
Time (s)

Dial gauge (0.001

mm)

0
10
20
30

1.071
1.083
1.096
1.103

mg
d /4

2 9.81
1.863 103

= 10.53 kN/m2

40
50
60
120
240
480
900
1800
3600
86400

1.110
1.114
1.118
1.145
1.188
1.230
1.244
1.251
1.256
1.260

Consolidation pressure =

force
area

Total Settlement = 1.260 mm

Day 3 (72 hours)

Load: 8 kg
Time(s)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
120
240
480
900
1800
3600
86400

Dial Gauge (mm)

1.410
1.441
1.452
1.458
1.463
1.467
1.470
1.489
1.517
1.580
1.593
1.600
1.605
1.609

mg
d /4

4 9.81
1.863 103

= 21.06 kN/m2

Consolidation pressure =

force
area

mg
d2
4

mg
d /4

mg
d /4

8 9.81
1.863 103

= 42.13 kN/m2

Total Settlement = 1.609 mm

Unload: 4kg
Time (s)

Dial gauge (0.001

mm)

600

1.244

Consolidation pressure =

force
area

4 9.81
3
1.863 10

= 21.06 kN/m2

2 9.81
3
1.863 10

= 10.53 kN/m2

Load: 2kg
Time (s)

Dial gauge (0.001

mm)

600

1.224

Consolidation pressure =

force
area

Load: 2kg

Taylor's (Root Time) Graph

0.00
0.65

5.00 10.00 15.00 20.00 25.00 30.00 35.00 40.00

0.7

0.75
Dial gauge readings (mm)
0.8

0.85

0.9
T (min)

From Taylors (Root time) graph,

T90 = 5.2 min
T90 = 27.04 min

0.848
Cv =

H
2

( )

t 90

0.848(
=

200.873
)
2
27.04

= 2.868 mm/min
= 0.158 m

1440 x 365
6
10

/year

Load: 2kg

Casagandre (Log Time) Graph

0.10
0.65

10.00

1000.00

0.7

0.75
Dial gauge readings (mm)
0.8

0.85

0.9

T (min)

100000.00

t50 = 4.4 min

0.197(
Cv =

0.197(
=

H
)
2

t 50
200.873
)
2
4.4

= 4.095 mm/min

1440 x 365
106

= 0.2152 m /year

Load: 4kg

Taylor's (Root Time) Graph

0.00
0.95

10.00

20.00

1
1.05

Dial gauge readings (mm)

1.1
1.15
1.2
1.25
1.3
T (min)

30.00

40.00

From Taylors (Root time) graph,

T90 = 4.1 min
T90 = 16.81 min
0.848
Cv =

H
2

( )

t 90

0.848(
=

20.001.26
)
2
16.81

= 4.429 mm/min
= 0.233 m

Load: 4kg

/year

1440 x 365
6
10

Casagandre (Log Time) Graph

0.10
0.95

10.00

1000.00

1
1.05
1.1
Dial gauge readings (mm)
1.15
1.2
1.25
1.3

T (min)

t50= 2.6 min

0.197(
Cv =

0.197(
=

H
)
2

t 50
201.260
)
2
2.6

= 6.652 mm/min

= 0.350 m /year

1440 x 365
106

100000.00

Load: 8kg

Taylor's (Root Time) Graph

0.00 5.00 10.00 15.00 20.00 25.00 30.00 35.00 40.00
1.3
1.35
1.4

Dial gauge readings (mm)

1.45
1.5
1.55
1.6
1.65

T (min)

From Taylors (Root time) graph,

T90 = 3 min
T90 = 9.0 min
H
0.848
2
Cv =
t 90

( )

0.848(
=

201.609
)
2
9.0

= 7.967 mm/min
= 0.419 m

1440 x 365
6
10

/year

Load: 8kg

Casagandre (Log Time) Graph

0.10
1.35

10.00

1000.00

1.4

1.45

Dial gauge readings (mm)

1.5

1.55

1.6

1.65

T (min)

t50= 3.4 min

100000.00

0.197(
Cv =

H
)
2

t 50

0.197(
=

201.609
)
2
3.4

= 4.899 mm/min

1440 x 365
6
10

= 0.257 m /year

Thus,
mv =

e
p

1
1+ e0

H
Hop

1.609
20.00 x 42.13

= 1.910 10-3 m2/kN

Choose higher value of Cv from Casagrande and Taylor method,
Cv = 0.419 m2/year
kv = cv.mv.w
= 0.419 x 1.910 10-3 x 9.81
= 7.851 10-3

Void Ratio
H
HS

e =

H H S
HS

Void ratio, e = e0 - e
e0

H 0 H S
HS

= (20.00 11.23) / 11.23

= 0.781
For 2kg load, 10.53 kPa
e

= 0.873 / 11.23
= 0.078
= e0 - e

= 0.781 0.078
= 0.703
For 4kg load, 21.06 kPa
e

= 1.260 / 11.23
= 0.112
= e0 - e

= 0.781 0.112
= 0.669
For 8kg load, 42.13 kPa
e

= 1.609 / 11.23
= 0.143
= e0 - e

= 0.781 0.143
= 0.638
For 4kg (unloading), 21.06 kPa
e

= 1.244 / 11.23
= 0.111

= e0 - e

= 0.781 0.111
= 0.670

For 2kg (unloading), 10.53 kPa

e

= 1.224 / 11.23
= 0.109

= e0 - e
= 0.781 0.109
= 0.672

Load, P (N)

Log P

10530
21060
42130
21060
10530

4.022
4.323
4.625
4.323
4.022

H (mm)

0.873
1.260
1609
1.244
1.224

Void ratio, e
0.703
0.669
0.638
0.670
0.672

Graph of Void Ratio against Log P

0.42
0.4
0.38

Void Ratiio, e

0.36
0.34
0.32
0.3
3.8

3.9

4.1

log P

From the graph of e against log p,

Compression index, Cc = the gradient
=

0.3860.338
4.473.91

= 0.086
Swelling index, Cs

= the gradient
=

0.3990.324
4.193.89

= 0.250

4.2

4.3

4.4

4.5

DISCUSSION
Consolidation is a methodology by which soils diminish in volume.
As indicated by Karl von Terzaghi "consolidation is any procedure which
includes a lessening in water substance of immersed soil without
substitution of water via air." as a rule it is the methodology in which
diminishment in volume happens by removal of water under long haul
static burdens. It happens when anxiety is connected to a dirt that causes
the dirt particles to pack together all the more firmly, in this way
diminishing its mass volume. At the point when this happens in a dirt that
is immersed with water, water will be pressed out of the dirt. The size of
consolidation can be anticipated by various strategies. In the Classical
Method, grew by Terzaghi, soils are tried with an oedometer test to focus
their pressure record. This can be utilized to anticipate the measure of
consolidation.
When stress is removed from a consolidated soil, the soil will
rebound, regaining some of the volume it had lost in the consolidation
process. If the stress is reapplied, the soil will consolidate again along a
recompression curve, defined by the recompression index. The soil which
had its load removed is considered to be over consolidated. This is the
case for soils which have previously had glaciers on them. The highest
stress that it has been subjected to is termed the preconsolidation stress.
The over consolidation ratio or OCR is defined as the highest stress
experienced divided by the current stress. A soil which is currently
experiencing its highest stress is said to be normally consolidated and to
have an OCR of one. A soil could be considered under consolidated
immediately after a new load is applied but before the excess pore water
pressure has had time to dissipate.

From the experiment, we have used several loads to our specimen

in order to obtain the required set of gauge to plot the graphs. By knowing
the values of void ratio and consolidation pressure, the graphs of e-log p
was drawn. In determining the values of C v , Casagrande method and
Taylor method are used.
Casagrandes step of determining Cv
Arthur Casagrande's graphical method
Using a consolidation curve:
1. Choose by eye the point of maximum curvature on the consolidation
curve.
2. Draw a horizontal line from this point
3. Draw a line tangent to the curve at the point found in part 1.
4. Bisect the angle made from the horizontal line in part 2 and the
tangent line in part 3.
5. Extend the "straight portion" of the virgin compression curve (high
effective stress, low void ratio: almost vertical on the right of the
graph) up to the bisector line in part 4.
The point where the lines in part 4 and part 5 intersect is the
preconsolidation pressure.
Casagrande method also known as the log time method. From our
calculation, by using Casagrandes method, we get the Cv value is 0.350
m2/year, whereas using Taylors method, Cv value is 0.419 m2/year. Then,
we decided to take the highest values to calculate the coefficient of
permeability, kv. The kv calculated is 7.851x10-3. Thus Cc can be determined
by calculate the gradient of curve of void ratio vs logarithmic of pressure
(e-log p curve) by follow this formula :

P2
P1

log
e 2e1
C c=
From the experiment, value of compression index, Cc is 0.086.
Void ratio, e is depends on the load, p. As the value of p increases, e will
cease to decrease.
Soil settlement can be divided into 3 categories which are Elastic
settlement (immediate settlement) can be described by the Hookes law,
Primary consolidation settlement due to expulsion of pore water, and
Secondary consolidation settlement due to plastic adjustment of soil
skeletons.
The measure of soil volume change that will happen is frequently
one of the representing configuration criteria of an undertaking. On the off
chance that the settlement is not kept as far as possible: the yearning
utilization of the structure may be impeded, and the outline life of the
structure may be lessened. It is consequently essential to have a method
for expectation of the measure of soil pressure or consolidation. It is
likewise critical to know the rate of consolidation and in addition the
aggregate consolidation not out of the ordinary. Consolidation alludes to
the pressure or settlement that soils experience as a reaction of setting
burdens onto the ground. At the point when soaked earth is stacked
remotely, the water will crush out of the dirt over quite a while (because
of low porousness of the mud). This prompts settlements happening over
quite a while, which could be quite a long while.

The greatness of the contact settlement relies on upon the

adaptability of the establishment and the sort of soil. For sandy soils which
are profoundly penetrable, no pore weight developed when anxiety
increments. The pore water depleted away quickly. Flexible settlement
and consolidation happen all the while. For clayey soils which are
exceptionally impermeable, pore weight is developed when anxiety
increments. No prompt pore water depleting endlessly. It will set aside any
longer time for pore water removal. The pore weight will scatter over a
long stretch. Consolidation happens long after flexible settlement.
The

one-dimensional

consolidation

test,

likewise

called

the

oedometer or consolidometer test which is utilized to acquire settlement

and time parameters. The metal ring limits the soil test along the side.
Consequently, settlement and seepage can just happen vertically in the
consolidometer (henceforth, one-dimensional). For the greater part of
functional settlement issues, it is sufficient to consider that both leakage
and strains happen in one course just; this typically being vertical.
A

general

hypothesis

for

consolidation,

consolidating

three-

dimensional stream vectors is convoluted and just appropriate to an

exceptionally restricted scope of issues in geotechnical designing. As a
general rule, an earth stratum will deplete radially, notwithstanding
vertically. A 3-D test be that as it may, is exceptionally troublesome both
to test and examine.
Besides, there are a few slips happened in the experiment that may
influence the exactness of the outcomes. Firstly, the parallax error scale
perusing opposite to his eye level. There may be a zero lapse on the
instruments we use to take perusing. Next, the inconvenience in taking
the perusing of number of dial gage divisions is another issue we
confronted amid analysis. There is a period division between the time
where the eyewitness was to peruse the quantity of dial gauge divisions
relating to the connected burden and the real time where the spectator
really took the perusing. Moreover, examples gave may be compacted

under higher burden bringing on the settlement in the examination not all
that self-evident.

Keeping in mind the end goal to decrease the lapses happened in

the experiment, there are few steps should be taken. Firstly, maintain a
strategic distance from parallax mistake by setting the eye such that the
line of perspective is opposite to the scale read. We have additionally
consider zero lapse of instrument. Moreover, rehash the test for a few
times to get the normal values to get more precise results.

CONCLUSION
From the experiment, we obtained that from Casagrandes method, we get the Cv value is
0.350 m2/year, whereas using Taylors method, Cv value is 0.419 m2/year. The volume of
compressibility, mv is 1.910x10-3 X 9.81 m2/kN, and the compression index, Cc = 0.086. Thus
the swelling index Cs is 0.250 and coefficient of permeability is 7.851 x 10-3.