The figure shows a soil profile where a clay layer will consolidate under an embankment loading of
Question:
The figure shows a soil profile where a clay layer will consolidate under an embankment loading of 150 kPa. There is no capillarity. Your firm performed two consolidation tests: i) one test indicated that the soil is over-consolidated, with σ’p = 110 kPa. ii) one test indicated that the soil is normally consolidated. Both tests gave the same C rε and C cε values. Assume C cε = 0.25.
(a) Determine the initial σ’v at the middle of the clay layer (i.e., at depth 5.5 m).
(b) Compute the settlement due to the embankment loading, assuming that the over-consolidated assumption is correct (σ’p = 110 kPa).
(c) Compute the settlement again, this time assuming that the soil is normally consolidated.
Step by Step Answer:
An Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering
ISBN: 978-0132496346
2nd edition
Authors: Robert D. Holtz, William D. Kovacs, Thomas C. Sheahan