Coefficient of consolidation and its correlation with index properties of remolded soils

Abstract

Knowledge of the rate at which the compression of the soil layer takes place is essential from design considerations. This can be achieved by determining the value of the coefficient of consolidation, cv. To obtain cv, it is essential to conduct a routine one-dimensional consolidation test. With the obtained time-compression data, and using any one of the several available curve-fitting procedures, cv can be evaluated. This is a time-consuming process. Also, the fact that many curve-fitting procedures are available in the literature suggests that none of them are completely satisfactory in evaluating cv and, hence, the large variation in the evaluated values by different procedures. Hence, it is desirable to predict the value of cv by any correlation equation relating with some simple index property. This will be quite satisfactory, especially so for preliminary assessment purposes. From the present experimental study on remolded soils, it is found that cv has a better correlation with the shrinkage index, which is the difference between liquid limit and shrinkage limit.