Influence of load increment ratio on one-dimensional consolidation behaviour

In this study, we conducted a stage loading consolidation test with varying load increment ratio and investigated its effect. By adjusting the primary consolidation ratio of one-dimensional consolidation analysis with secondary consolidation taken into account, it is possible to reproduce the consolidation amount-time curve affected by the load increment ratio.

Consolidation behaviour determined by the velocity method

The "velocity method," wherein settlement rate is plotted against time on double-log scales, has been used to analyse a series of stage load oedometer tests. Because of the greatly enhanced sensitivity of this form of analysis, the test programme has been designed to reexamine the effects of sample thickness, load increment duration, and load increment ratio. A comparison of Cv values by various methods is made, with the velocity method being used as reference because it is free from the two most important errors that affect other methods. A comparison is also made with other theoretical solutions to indicate the validity of using the simple Terzaghi solution curve.An examination of some aspects of secondary compression is made by means of tests on nonaqueous samples and on samples at different temperatures, and a further investigation is made on the effect of cell water salt content. All results point to a fairly unique final slope on the velocity diagram that is of particular significance for long-term predictions. Key words: clay, consolidation test, settlement rate, pore pressure, loading, temperature effect, time factor, creep.