Chapter 12.

Analysis of consolidation under embankment

In this chapter, we are going to explain how to analyze consolidation under a
constructed embankment.
Introduction:
Soil consolidation takes into account the settlement time (calculation of earth
deformation) under the effect of external (constant or variable) loads. The surcharge leads to an
increase in earth formation stress and the gradual extrusion of water from pores, i.e. soil
consolidation. Primary consolidation corresponds to the situation in which there is a complete
dissipation of pore pressures in soil, secondary consolidation affects rheological processes
in the soil skeleton (the so called "creep effect"). This is a time-dependent process influenced
by a number of factors (e.g. soil permeability and compressibility, length of drainage paths,
etc.). With regards to the degree of consolidation we distinguish the following cases of ground
settlement:
− final settlement corresponding to 100% consolidation from the respective surcharge
− partial settlement corresponding to a particular degree of consolidation from
the respective surcharge

Assignment:
Determine the settlement value under the centre of an embankment constructed
on impermeable clay one year and ten years after its construction. Make the analysis using
CSN 73 1001 standards (using oedometric modulus), limit of influence zone consider using
coefficient of structure strength.

Scheme of the assignment – consolidation

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Solution:
The GEO 5 – Settlement program will be used to solve this task. We are going to model
this example step by step:

− 1st construction stage – interface modeling, calculation of the initial geostatic stress.
− 2nd construction stage – adding a surcharge by means of an embankment.
− 3rd up to 5th construction stages – calculation of embankment consolidation
at various time intervals (according to the assignment).
− Evaluation of results (conclusion).

− Basic assignment (procedure): Stage 1

Check the "Perform consolidation analysis" field in the "Settings" frame. Then select
specific settings for calculation of the settlement from "Settings list". This setting describes
the analysis method for calculation of the settlement and restriction of influence zone.

Frame "Settings"

Note: This calculation considers the so called primary consolidation (dissipation of pore
pressure). Secondary settlement (creep), which may occur mainly with non-consolidated and
organic soils, is not solved within this example.
Then we enter the layer interface. The objective is to select two layers between which
the consolidation takes place.

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 Frame "Interface"

Note: If there is a homogeneous soil, then in order to calculate the consolidation,

it is necessary to enter a fictitious layer (use the same parameters for the two soil layers that
are separated by the original interface), preferably at the depth of the deformation zone.
Then we define the "Incompressible subsoil" (IS) (at a depth of 10 m) by means of
entering coordinates similarly to interface modeling. No settlement takes place under the IS.

The soil parameters are entered in the next step. For soils being consolidated, it is
required to specify either the coefficient of permeability " k " or the coefficient of consolidation
" cv ". Approximate values can be found in HELP (F1).

Dialog window "Modification of soil parameters"

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 Table with the soil parameters
Poisson’s Coeff. of
Oedometric Coeff. of
Soil Unit weight Ratio structural
(Soil classification) [
γ kN m 3 ] ν [−]
modulus
E oed [MPa]
strength
permeability
k [m day]
m [−]
Clayey soil 18,5 0,3 1,0 0,1 1,0 ⋅ 10 −5
Embankment 20,0 0,30 30,0 0,3 1,0 ⋅ 10 −2
Sandy silt 19,5 0,30 30,0 0,3 1,0 ⋅ 10 −2

Then we assign the soils to the profile. The frame surcharge in the 1st construction stage
is not taken into consideration, since in this example it will be represented by the actual
embankment body (in stages 2 to 5). In the next step, we shall enter the ground water table
(hereinafter the "GWT") using the interface points, in our case at ground level.
In the frame “Stage settings”, you can only modify layout and refinement of holes, so
leave the standard settings.

The first "Calculation" stage represents the initial geostatic stress at the initial
construction time. However, it is necessary to specify the basic boundary conditions for the
consolidation calculation in further stages. The top and bottom interface of the consolidating
soil is entered, as well as the direction of water flow from this layer – i.e. the drainage path.

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 "Analysis" – Construction stage 1
Note: If you enter "Incompressible subsoil", you shall then consider the direction of flow of
water from the consolidating soil only upwards

− Basic assignment (procedure): Stages 2 to 5

Let's now move to the 2nd construction stage by tool bar at the top left of the desktop.

Toolbar „Construction stage“

We define the embankment itself by entering coordinates. A specific soil type
is assigned to the embankment.

"Stage 2 – Embankment interface points"

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 "Stage 2 – Embankment + Assignment"

Note: The embankment acts as a surcharge to the original ground surface. It is assumed that
a well-executed (optimally compacted) embankment theoretically does not settle. In a practice,
settlement may occur (poor compaction, soil creep effect), but the program Settlement does not
address this.

In the "Analysis" frame enter the time duration of the 2nd stage corresponding to the
actual embankment construction time. The actual calculation of the settlement cannot be
performed yet because, when determining consolidation, it is first necessary to know the whole
history of the earthwork structure loading, i.e. all construction stages.

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 Frame "Analysis – Construction Stage 2"

Since the embankment is built gradually, we are considering the linear load growth
in the 2nd construction stage. In subsequent stages, the duration of the stage is entered (1 year
i.e. 365 days – 3rd stage, 10 years i.e. 3,650 days – 4th stage and the overall settlement – 5th
stage) and the whole loading is introduced at the beginning of the stage.
The calculations are performed after enter the last construction stage, which is on the "Overall
settlement", is turned on (you can check it at any stage apart from the first one).

Frame "Calculation – Construction Stage 5"

Analysis results
Upon the calculation of the overall settlement, we can observe partial consolidation
values below the centre of the embankment. We have obtained the following maximum
settlement values in individual construction stages:

− Stage 1: only geostatic stress – settlement not calculated.

− Stage 2 (surcharge by embankment): for 30 days → 29.2 mm
− Stage 3 (unchanged): for 365 days → 113.7 mm
− Stage 4 (unchanged): for 3,650 days → 311.7 mm
− Stage 5: the overall settlement → 351.2 mm

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 "Analysis – Construction stage 5 (Overall settlement)"

As we are interested in the embankment settlement after its construction,

we will switch to the results view in the 3rd and 4th stages (the button "Values") to "compared
to stage 2" which subtracts the respective settlement value.

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 "Analysis – Settlement (differences compared to previous stages)"

Conclusion:
The embankment settlement (under its centre) within one year from its construction is
84.5 mm (= 113.7 – 29.2) and after ten years 282.5 mm (= 311.7 – 29.2).

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