Suggested new procedure for soil consolidation test

Abstract

The Standard Soil Consolidation Test (ASTM D 2435-70) adopted by most laboratories today entails some disadvantages and inconveniences. These include an increase in the time needed for the sample preparation, and most importantly, the unavoidable specimen disturbances caused by cutting, trimming and fitting. these greatly influence the results obtained. In an attempt to accomplish the test more accurately and effectively, Dr. John N. Cernica developed a new method for the consolidation test. Using this method, instead of extracting and trimming, the specimen is tested within the shelby tube with the tube acting as a floating ring consolidometer. This makes the test more expedient and, as indicated later, more accurate. The contents of this thesis were based upon the results obtained from eighteen sets of comparative tests. Test data were recorded, void ratio - pressure relationships (e - log p) were plotted and the comparison of the results from the two methods were also discussed. A conclusion was subsequently obtained and presented in the final chapter.