EXPERIMENTAL VALIDATION OF ANALYTICAL MODEL OF ONE-DIMENSIONAL CONSOLIDATION OF MULTIPLE LAYERED CLAYEY SOILS

Abstract

In the field of engineering, the important of consolidation test is to determine the compressibility properties of soil for the purpose of estimating the rate of settlement and its effect on engineering structures. Over the year, a lot of analytical model have been developed to provide solution for consolidation problem in multiple layered clayey soil, most of which are still under validation process thus, given the need for this research aimed at validating and showing the extends at which the analytical model under review correspond accurately in solving a real-life consolidation problem in multiple layered clayey soil. An index and consolidation property of the soil samples was investigated for the purpose of validating the analytical model under review. Two undisturbed clayey soil sample were extracted from different locations combined to form a two layered soil element with different engineering properties. Laboratory investigation was conducted to determine their individual plastic limit, liquid limit, moisture content and particle size distribution. Oedometer test was also conducted by subjecting the soil element to consolidation procedure under a double drainage condition. Using Taylor’s square root of time method, Coefficient of consolidation cv = (5.46 x 10-6 m2/min, 6.81 x 10-6 m2/min), was determine from the oedometer test result and the subsequent compressibility coefficient mv = (3.05 x 10-4 m2/kN, 1.66 x 10-4 m2/kN) and permeability coefficient k = (1.64 x 10-8 m/min, 1.11 x 10-8 m/min) was determine from the effective load and void ration relationship. These results were substituted into the analytical model to calculate the dissipation of excess pore water pressure u, plotted against time t, at different layer and variation of excess pore water pressure curve was generated. Experimental data are presented to show the validating of the analytical model under review.