SYNOPSIS

CONSOLIDATION CHARACTERISTICS OF FINE GRAINED SOIL

ALONG THE COMPACTION CURVE

Submitted by Under the guidance of,

CHIRAG JOHAN W (4VV13CV019) Dr. H. S. DAYANANDA
PAVITHRA K (4VV14CV035) Prof & Dean (AA)
ROCHANA R (4VV14CV042) &
RASHMI D S (4VV15CV406) CHETHANA .L
Asst. Prof

The consolidation test provides information on the compressibility characteristics of

soils for computation of the magnitude and time of settlement resulting from one-
dimensional strain. And also in the determination of co-efficient of volume change
(mv), compression index (cc), co-efficient of consolidation (Cv) even though its
applicability to the field condition is questionable. Based on Karl Von Terzaghi’s
consolidation theory various cure-fitting procedures were brought forth to determine
(Cv).

The Atterberg limits and related indices have become characteristic of assemblages
of soil particles. Raju et al (1995) proposed an equation to determine (Cv) which was
from a limited study with four soils (liquid limit 50-60% and plastic limit 27-47%) And
the liquid limit was the only parameter used. Soils may have different plastic limit but
same liquid limit. Most of the testing procedures to determine liquid limit are strength
based with the assumption that, irrespective of the soil type the strengths at these
limiting water contents are considered to be unique, being equal to 1.7 and 170KN/m2.

Clays are particles of size less than 2µ broadly classified into kaolinite,
smectite/montmorillonite, mica and chlorite. kaolinite and montmorillonite, the two
extreme types of clay minerals behave quite differently from each other under any
given set of physio-chemical environments. Hence, the mechanism governing the
liquid limit of both these minerals cannot be the same. Because of its shearing
resistance and enhanced particle flocculation kaolinite has a higher liquid limit than
montmorillonite when compared at very low dielectric constants i.e., it has liquid limits
of 230% & 228.5% when compared to 149.2% and 155.2% for hexane and carbon
tetrachloride (dielectric constants).

Very few models have been generated to predict the entire compaction curve. An early
study by Joslin (1959) on a large number of compaction curve yielding 26 typical
standard proctor curve that are presumed to approximately resemble most of soil
encounter in earth constructions. Sridharan and Rao (1975) have discussed the
possible mechanisms governing the liquid limit of kaolinite and montmorillonite soil.
This enabled us to work on variation of consolidation characteristics of kaolinite and
montmorillonite soil subjected to different seating pressure from 6.25 to 1600 kPa.

OBJECTIVES

The main objective of this research work is to study the variation of consolidation
characteristics of fine grained soil along the compaction curve.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

 To obtain compaction characteristics with varying compaction energy

 To study the consolidation characteristics of kaolinite and montmorillonite soil
 To study the index properties of fine grain soil for both dry & wet conditions
 To analyse the research obtained using x – ray diffraction analysis (XRD)

_______________________ _______________________

(Dr. H .S DAYANANDA) (CHETHANA .L )

DEAN (AA) and HOD Asst. Prof

_________________________
(Dr. B SADASHIVE GOWDA)
PRINCIPAL