On Consolidation due to Gradual Increased Loading

In general consolidation test, the application of load is instantaneous. But in the construction, the application of load requires a considerable time. The settlement analysis in such case is carried out by Gilboy's approximate method, generally. Lately, the consolidation tests due to gradual increased loading are carried out in our laboratory. The water is used for load and the loading period is depended upon the water volum flowed in the lower tank, during a unit time, as shown in Fig. 2 In present tests, the loading period (T) are set at T=5min. and T=30min., and clay preconsolidated in the cell as shown in Fig. 1 is used in these tests. These experimental results are compared with the settlements obtained by Gilboy's method and Terzaghi's theoretical solution. It is seen that our experimental results are more equal to Terzaghi's theoretical solution than Gilboy's approximate method.