CONSOLIDATION TEST APPARATUS

Consolidation Test Apparatus: MTST-05

The consolidation test is the basic experiment to measure the settlement characteristics of a clay layer. The rate of consolidation is governed by a coupling between the hydraulic conductivity and the compressibility of the soil. For this laboratory you will measure the effect of the drainage height and the interaction between pore pressure and surface deformation. During this laboratory, you will be conducting an incremental consolidation test on a specimen trimmed from an undisturbed sample of soft clay. The odometer has been modified to control drainage from the base of the specimen. The standard test configuration is to have both top and bottom (double) drainage. The modified test configuration has only top (single) drainage. This is achieved by closing the value at the base of the specimen. A pressure transducer measures the water pressure in a sealed chamber at the bottom of the specimen.

This location is equivalent to the center plane of the specimen with double drainage. It takes from several days to a few weeks to perform a complete consolidation test. The test duration depends on the number of consolidation increments and the soil type (actually the coefficient of consolidation). A typical commercial laboratory will invest as much as 20 hours of manpower to perform the test. This being the case, it is not possible for us to perform the complete experiment for class. The entire laboratory will be performed on one test specimen. Each group will perform two increments on the same specimen but at different stress levels. We will setup the specimen, perform. The rest of the increments, and give you the entire data set for analysis. You will be performing the more detailed calculations on the two increments that you apply but will need the entire data set to compute the compression curve.

Features:-

One dimensional consolidation equipment
Consolidation behavior of cohesive soilds
Relationship between drainage path and consolidation time
Relationship between pore pressure and surface settlement
Difference between secondary compression and primary consolidation

Description

Technical Specification:-

Loading unit, maximum capacity 20 kg/cm sq. having a loading yoke connected to a lever arm with a counter balancing adjustment and having a lever ratio of 1:1, the whole assembly being mounted on a sturdy steel frame stand.
The loading unit is so designed that it can be used for consolidation cells of different diameters as well as different dia floating ring type consolidation cells.
Fixed ring type consolidomenter (Odeometer) cell assembly for testing 60 mm dia x 20 mm thick specimen comprising Fixed ring for specimens 60 mm dia x 20 mm thick with guide ring.
Top and Bottom Porous stones for 60 mm dia specimen
Perforated Pressure pad, Chanelled base with water inlet and Gasket
Flanged Water Jacket, water reservoir with plastic tube and pinch cock
Set of weights to give a pressure of 10 kg/cm.sq. on 60 mm dia specimen, comprising
7 Nos. 0.05 kg/sq.cm, 5 Nos. 0.1 kg/sq.cm., 6 Nos. 0.2 kg/sq.cm., 6 Nos. 0.5 kg/sq.cm., and 5 Nos. 1.0 kg/sq.cm.

Accessories:-

Dial Gauge 0.002 mm x 10 mm. Extension piece, 40 mm long.
Test forms pad of 50 for “Censolidation Test Plot” Test forms pad of 50 for one Dimensional Consolidation.

Optional Accessories:-

Varying head stand pipe, 50 cms. Long with mm.scale.
Fixed ring type of consolidometer (Odometer) cell assembly for 50 mm dia x 20 mm thick specimens complete with fixed ring guide ring, pair or porous stones, perforated pressure pad, channeled base, gasket and flanged water jacket.
Set of weights to give a pressure of 10 kg/sq.cm. on 50 cm. dia specimens.
Fixed ring type of consolidometer (Odometer) cell assembly for 70 mm dia x 20 mm thick specimens, complete with accessories as above. Set of weights to give a pressure of 10 kg/sq.cm. On 70 cm. dia specimens.
Fixed ring type of consolidometer (Odometer) cell assembly for 100 mm dia x 25 mm thick specimens, complete with accessories as above. Set of weights to give a pressure of 10 kg/sq.cm. on 100 mm. dia.

** Note:-The content of the product and specification are subject to change without prior notice for continuous improvement. Images shown are for representation purpose only. “MICROTEKNIK” keeps the right to modify the content in the product without prior notice.