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Consolidation of a saturated soil occurs due to the expulsion of porewater under a static load. Information from a consolidation test can be used to estimate the magnitude and rate of differential and total settlement of a structure or earthfill. In a consolidation test a soil specimen is restrained laterally and loaded axially in stress increments. Each stress increment is maintained until the excess porewater is dissipated. During the test the specimen height is measured and used  to determine the relationship between effective stress and strain.

 

Data entry and calculations for this test are performed on the Consolidation form described in the next section. After the data and calculations have been performed the results are displayed in a test report as described in the reporting section below. The format of this report is controlled by the geotechnical template used for the test.

 

The methodology and calculations for this test adhere to "ASTM D2435-96 Standard Test Method for One-Dimensional Consolidation Properties of Soils". For more detailed information on the methodology and calculations please review this standard.