2. PRECONSOLIDATION PRESSURE
2
It is defined as the ratio of undisturbed peak undrained shear strength to totally
remolded undrained shear strength.
Pre-consolidation pressure is the maximum effective vertical overburden stress
that a particular soil sample has sustained in the past.
Pre-consolidation pressure cannot be measured directly, but can be estimated
using a number of different strategies.
If the current vertical effective stress (σv′) is equal to or greater than σp′, the soil
is said to be normally consolidated.
3. METHODS
3
Using a consolidation curve:(Casagrande 1936):-
Choose by eye the point of maximum curvature on the consolidation curve.
Draw a horizontal line from this point.
Draw a line tangent to the curve at the point found in part 1.
Bisect the angle made from the horizontal line in part 2 and the tangent line in part 3.
Extend the "straight portion" of the virgin compression curve (high effective stress,
low void ratio: almost vertical on the right of the graph) up to the bisector line in part
4.
The point where the lines in part 4 and part 5 intersect is the pre-consolidation
pressure.
5. MECHANISMS CAUSING PRECONSOLIDATION
5
Various different factors can cause a soil to approach its pre-consolidation pressure:
Change in total stress due to removal of overburden can cause pre-consolidation pressure
in a soil.
Change in pore water pressure: A change in water table elevation, Artesian pressures, deep
pumping or flow into tunnels, and desiccation due to surface drying or plant life can bring soil
to its pre-consolidation pressure.
Change in soil structure due to aging (secondary compression): Over time, soil will
consolidate even after high pressures from loading and pore water pressure have been
depleted.
Environmental changes: Changes in pH, temperature, and salt concentration can cause a soil
to approach its pre-consolidation pressure.
Chemical weathering: Different types of chemical weathering will cause pre-consolidation
pressure. Precipitation, cementing agents, and ion exchange are a few examples.
6. USES
6
Pre-consolidation pressure is used in many calculations of soil properties essential
for structural analysis and soil mechanics.
One of the primary uses is to predict settlement of a structure after loading. This is
required for any construction project such as new buildings, bridges, large roads and
railroad tracks. All of these require site evaluation before construction.
Preparing a site for construction requires an initial compression of the soil to prepare
for foundation to be added.
It is important to know the pre-consolidation pressure because it will help to determine
the amount of loading that is appropriate for the site. It will also help to determine
whether recompression (after excavation).