The changes that take place during the process of consolidation of a ...
The excess hydrostatic pressure developed after the application of the load sets up a hydraulic gradient and the water starts escaping from the voids. As the water escapes, the applied pressure is transformed from the water to the solids. Eventually, the whole of the pressure is transferred to the soil solids as the effective stress, and the excess water pressure becomes zero. As the effective stress increases, the volume of the soil decreases.
Hence, the correct option is (D)
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The changes that take place during the process of consolidation of a ...
The changes that take place during the process of consolidation of a saturated clay include:
1. Increase in Effective Pressure:
During consolidation, the excess pore water pressure in the clay gradually dissipates, resulting in a decrease in pore water pressure. As the pore water pressure decreases, the effective stress in the clay increases. This increase in effective pressure is due to the transfer of load from the water phase to the solid phase of the soil.
2. Decrease in Pore Water Pressure:
As the clay consolidates, the excess pore water pressure decreases. This is because the water is gradually expelled from the soil matrix as the void spaces between the clay particles decrease in size. The water flows out of the soil through the drainage paths, such as drains or permeable boundaries.
3. Increase in Effective Stress:
The increase in effective stress during consolidation is a result of the decrease in pore water pressure. As the pore water pressure decreases, the effective stress acting on the soil particles increases. This increase in effective stress results in the soil particles being pressed closer together, causing the soil to settle or compress.
4. Decrease in Void Ratio:
During consolidation, the void spaces between the clay particles decrease in size as the excess pore water pressure dissipates. This decrease in void ratio is accompanied by the settlement of the soil. The settling of the soil can cause structures built on the clay to experience settlement, which can lead to structural damage.
5. Time-dependent Process:
Consolidation is a time-dependent process, meaning that it takes time for the excess pore water pressure to dissipate and for the soil to settle. The rate of consolidation depends on factors such as the permeability of the soil, the load applied to the soil, and the compressibility of the clay.
In summary, during the consolidation of a saturated clay, there is a decrease in pore water pressure and an increase in effective pressure. This process causes the soil to settle and the void spaces between the clay particles to decrease in size. Understanding the consolidation properties of clay is important in geotechnical engineering to predict settlement and to design foundations and other structures appropriately.