Hindawi

Advances in Civil Engineering

Volume 2018, Article ID 9591374, 11 pages
https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/9591374

Research Article
Effect of Vertical Pressure on Horizontal and Vertical
Permeability of Soil and Effect of Surcharge Pressure on 3D
Consolidation of Soil

Arpan Laskar and Sujit Kumar Pal

Civil Engineering Department, NIT Agartala, Jirania, India

Correspondence should be addressed to Arpan Laskar; [email protected]

Received 21 July 2017; Revised 19 September 2017; Accepted 5 December 2017; Published 8 February 2018

Academic Editor: Arnaud Perrot

Copyright © 2018 Arpan Laskar and Sujit Kumar Pal. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons
Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is
properly cited.

Permeability and consolidation of soil are known as the most variable soil properties. The values of permeability and consolidation
of soil may vary with depth even in case of homogeneous soil layers, and because of that, the determination of appropriate values
of permeability and consolidation is a complex and complicated engineering task. In this study, horizontal and vertical per-
meability apparatus and a 3D (three-dimensional) consolidation apparatus are developed to determine the effects of vertical
pressure on horizontal and vertical permeability and the effects of vertical surcharge pressures on three-dimensional consolidation
of soil. A series of horizontal and vertical permeability tests of soil under different vertical pressures and a series of 3D con-
solidation tests under different surcharge pressures are performed. From the study, it is observed that the horizontal and vertical
permeability of soil changes with the changes in vertical pressures, and 3D consolidation of soil also changes with the changes in
surcharge pressures. The horizontal and vertical permeability values obtained from the newly developed horizontal and vertical
permeability apparatus are used in Terzaghi’s one-dimensional consolidation theory to find out the consolidation characteristics
of the soil, and it is compared with the results obtained from the newly developed 3D consolidation apparatus.

1. Introduction corresponding to the increases in depth, the soil becomes

denser with the increases in the depth of the soil. Different
The coefficient of permeability also known as hydraulic researchers proposed many equations to predict the hy-
conductivity is a most uncertain soil property, and the draulic conductivity (k) of saturated porous materials.
uncertainty of soil properties can be as high as 240% [1, 2]. Amongst the different proposed equations, a frequently
There are several factors that are affecting the permeability of usable equation was proposed by Kozeny [3], and later, it
soil, and these are grain size, properties of pore water was modified by Carman [4, 5]. Though both the authors
pressure, temperature, void ratio, mean pressure, stratifi- never published together, the resulting equation is largely
cation of soil, entrapped air and organic impurities, known as the Kozeny–Carman equation. The Kozeny–
adsorbed water, the degree of saturation, the shape of Carman equation has several limitations like the equation is
particles, the structure of soil mass, etc. Amongst all above only valid for nonplastic soils and the equation is inadequate
factors, there are mainly two factors that mostly affect the for clay soil as the interactions between solid and fluid are
coefficient of permeability, that is, grain size and interstices not considered. In addition to that, the permeability pre-
between soil particles. Except from these two factors, vertical dicted by the Kozeny–Carman equation is isotropic, whereas
pressure is also another factor that largely affects the per- the permeability is often anisotropic [6]. Kezdi preferred
meability of any soil. The soil with relatively homogeneous laboratory permeability tests for determining the coefficient
layers shows different coefficients of permeability with the of permeability over analytical processes [7]. Rozsa discussed
changes in depth. Because the self-load of soil increases the laboratory method and recommended an in situ test, that
2 Advances in Civil Engineering

is, pumping from a well to determine the coefficient of Great efforts have been made in the development of
permeability values [8]. In numbers of practical cases, it was concepts, theories, and formulations for evaluating con-
preferred to use the pumping test method on site but fails to solidation characteristics of saturated soil during the past
do the same in the soil layers above the groundwater table. three decades. However, experimental confirmation has not
Kovacs proposed a different view and used the grain-size kept pace with theoretical advance. The general theory of
distribution curve to determine the permeability of soil [9]. three-dimensional consolidation was first introduced by
Based on the above studies and analysis, the formula- Biot [10], in which the researcher considers coupling be-
based calculation should be recommended for determining tween solid and fluid. In the past few decades, many in-
the coefficient of permeability, not only because this is simple vestigators have developed a different analytical solution
but also it is reliable in most of the cases. In the entire previous based on Biot’s consolidation theory. Skempton and Bjer-
studies of laboratory cases of horizontal and vertical per- rum proposed a correction factor (µ) to modify one-
meability tests, the effects of vertical pressures on the co- dimensional consolidation settlements to bring out two- and
efficient of permeability were overlooked. In this study, a series three-dimensional effects [11]. Ai and Cheng presented
of horizontal and vertical permeability tests are conducted by numerical analysis for 3D consolidation with the anisotropic
using the newly developed horizontal and vertical perme- permeability of a layered soil system, and the effect of an-
ability apparatus under different vertical pressures. isotropic permeability on the consolidation behavior has
The design of shallow foundations has to be based on the been discussed [12]. Ai et al. [13] and Ai and Cheng [14]
analysis of bearing capacity failure and deformation analysis presented alternative approaches to solving Biot’s consoli-
of the supporting soil. Deformation analysis of the soil is one dation problem and obtained an organized solution to the
of the most uncertain and indecisive tasks in geotechnical consolidation problems. Ai and Wang [15] and Ai et al. [16]
engineering. The work presented in this article is concerned also developed an analytical procedure to solve Biot’s
with the deformation analysis of the soil under different consolidation equations by directly using the Laplace
vertical surcharge pressures. In present days, the settlements transform method. In all of the past investigations, the
of supporting soil are analyzed by using one-dimensional evaluation technique of three-dimensional consolidation
consolidometer, and three-dimensional consolidation cases was analytical or numerical based, and assumptions are not
of soil are considered as a modification to the one- as replicating to the field conditions. Laskar and Pal de-
dimensional analysis. The concept of one-dimensional veloped an experimental solution for three-dimensional
consolidation may represent a clay layer, which is over- consolidation problems, which can replicate the in situ
lain and confined by a desiccated crust to minimize hori- settlement of shallow footing, but the effects of surcharge
zontal movement of soil and water. The one-dimensional pressures on three-dimensional consolidation of soil have
theory may not be feasible for the case in which vertical and not been discussed [17]. Hence, it is important to evaluate
horizontal movement of soil and vertical and the horizontal the effects of surcharge pressures on three-dimensional
expulsion of water happen. Therefore, it may not be logical consolidation of soil. In this study, it is tried to evaluate
to apply a one-dimensional consolidation theory for eval- the effects of vertical pressures on the horizontal and vertical
uation of three-dimensional settlements. A natural porous permeability of soil and effects of surcharge pressures on 3D
medium like soil may have been created by the sedimen- consolidation of soil.
tation process, and this sedimentation makes horizontal
stratification layers of soil, and accordingly, the permeability 2. Aim and Scope of the Study
of soil is different in horizontal and vertical directions. Due
to the anisotropic nature of the soil in horizontal and vertical In this study, new horizontal and vertical permeability
directions, the coefficient of consolidation and coefficient of apparatus are developed and shown in Figures 1 and 2,
permeability in the horizontal direction are typically dif- respectively. A three-dimensional consolidation apparatus
ferent from the coefficient of consolidation and coefficient of (Figure 3) is also presented in this study to determine the
permeability in the vertical direction. Usually, the coefficient effect of surcharge pressures on three-dimensional consol-
of consolidation is determined by using the one-dimensional idation of soil. The study aims to find out the horizontal and
oedometer test, and the measurement of settlement rates is vertical permeability of soil under different vertical pressures
limited to the vertical direction only. There is also a large and 3D consolidation of soil under different surcharge
effect of surcharge pressures on the consolidation of soil. pressures. In this study, the permeability values of soil
The effect of surcharge pressures is underestimated in the obtained from the developed laboratory apparatus are used
process of consolidation. Hence, in this article, the three- in Terzaghi’s one-dimensional consolidation theory to find
dimensional consolidation cases have been proposed as the out the consolidation characteristics of soil, and it is com-
basic problem, rather than a further extension of the one- pared with the 3D consolidation results obtained from the
dimensional consolidation theory, where the effect of sur- developed 3D consolidation apparatus.
charge pressures on the consolidation process is also taken
into consideration. In three-dimensional consolidation 3. New Permeability and Consolidation
cases, there will be vertical as well as the horizontal strain of Apparatus
soil along with vertical and radial drainage of water cor-
responding to the application of vertical loads and surcharge Horizontal and vertical permeability apparatus are fabri-
pressures. cated to measure the horizontal and vertical permeability of
Advances in Civil Engineering 3

(1)

(5)

(2)

(6)
(3)

(7) (4)

(1) Loading frame (5) Plunger

(2) Loading plate (6) Vertical porous stone
(3) Inlet (7) Outlet
(3) Soil sample
(a) (b)

Figure 1: Horizontal permeability apparatus. (a) Mould assembly for determination of horizontal permeability. (b) Horizontal permeability
cell under constant vertical pressure.

soil under constant confined vertical stress. A 3D consoli- the stone and the soil surface to prevent movement of soil
dation setup is also fabricated to perform 3D consolidation particles.
tests under different surcharge pressures where vertical and
horizontal expulsion of pore water is allowed.
3.1.3. Vertical Loading Plate. A 100 mm × 100 mm square
plate of 12 mm thickness is used to apply the load on the
3.1. Horizontal and Vertical Permeability Apparatus. Figures surface of the soil sample. For horizontal permeability and
1 and 2 show the newly developed horizontal and vertical vertical permeability, a solid vertical loading plate and
permeability apparatus along with different parts. a perforated vertical loading plate are used, respectively. The
loading plate is connected to the loading frame using
a plunger.
3.1.1. Permeability Cell. The permeability cell is made of
noncorrosive cast iron. The inner volume of the permeability
cell is 1000 cc. The internal size of the permeability cell is 3.1.4. Loading Device. A lever loading system as shown in
100 mm × 100 mm × 100 mm. Figures 1(a) and 2(a) show the Figures 1(b) and 2(b) is fabricated, which is enabled to apply
assembly of horizontal and vertical permeability cells. These vertical force axially in suitable increments to the test
permeability cells are used to test the soil samples under specimen through a plunger. This device is capable of
confined vertical pressures. maintaining specified loads for long periods of time while
the specimen is deforming.

3.1.2. Porous Stone. Porous stones are placed on the two

3.1.5. Set of Standpipes. A glass standpipe of 10 mm diameter
opposite sides of the permeability cells. In the horizontal
is used for variable head test arrangement in a horizontal
permeability cell, porous stones are placed on the two op-
permeability test setup.
posite vertical sides, and in the case of the vertical perme-
ability cell, porous stones are placed on the top and bottom
of the sample as shown in Figures 1(b) and 2(b), respectively. 3.1.6. Constant Head Tank. An appropriate water reservoir
The size of the porous stones is 100 mm × 100 mm × 12 mm is used for constant head test arrangement, which is capable
(thickness). A sheet of Whatman filter paper of the similar of supplying water to the vertical permeability setup to
cross-sectional size of the porous stones is placed between maintain the constant head.
4 Advances in Civil Engineering

(1)
(6)
(2)
(7)

(3)
(8) (4)

(9) (5)

(1) Loading frame (6) Plunger

(2) Water (7) Vertical loading plate
(3) Top porous stone (8) Soil sample
(4) Permeability cell (9) Outlet
(5) Bottom porous stone
(a) (b)

Figure 2: Vertical permeability apparatus. (a) Mould assembly for determination of vertical permeability. (b) Vertical permeability cell
under constant vertical pressure.

3.2. Three-Dimensional Consolidation Setup. Figure 3 shows 3.2.3. Loading Plate. A 60 mm diameter cast iron loading
the three-dimensional consolidation apparatus along with plate is used to apply the load on the soil specimen. This
different parts of it. This apparatus is the extension of the loading plate is connected to the loading frame by a plunger.
apparatus developed by Laskar and Pal [17].
3.2.4. Plate to Apply Surcharge Load. Cast iron plates are
3.2.1. Consolidation Cell. The consolidation cell is made of fabricated, having a cross-sectional area of 299 mm × 299 mm
noncorrosive cast iron. The inner and outer dimensions of with a 61 mm diameter center hole like a top porous stone.
the consolidation cell are 300 mm × 300 mm × 450 mm These plates are fabricated in such a way that these plates can
(height) and 310 mm × 310 mm × 450 mm (height), re- apply 10, 15, 20, and 25 kN/m2 (kPa) seating loads on top of
spectively. The consolidation cell is fabricated with porous the specimen except the 61 mm diameter center portion.
cast iron plates, which is open at the top and bottom sides as
shown in Figure 3. 3.2.5. Consolidation Tank. A plain cement concrete con-
solidation tank is fabricated within which the consolidation
cell is placed. The consolidation tank contains the soil
3.2.2. Porous Stone. Porous stones are placed at the top, specimen between the top and bottom porous stones. The
bottom, and four consecutive sides of the soil specimen. The tank is capable of being filled with water to a level higher
porous stones are made of silicon carbide. The size of the than the top of the upper porous stone.
bottom porous stone is 299 mm × 299 mm × 12 mm (thick-
ness). The size of the top porous stone is the same as the
3.2.6. Dial Gauge. A dial gauge is used, which can read the
bottom porous stone, but there is a hole of 61 mm diameter
values to an accuracy of 0.01 mm.
at the center through which a 60 mm diameter of another
porous stone can be inserted. A sheet of Whatman filter
paper of the similar cross-sectional size of the porous stones 3.2.7. Loading Device. A lever loading system as shown in
is placed between the stone and the soil surface to prevent Figure 3 is fabricated, which is enabled to apply vertical force
movement of soil particles. axially in suitable increments to the test specimen through
Advances in Civil Engineering 5

1 (5) Load is applied in the vertical direction only.

(6) Excess pore water drains out from a void space in
2 vertical and lateral directions.
(7) All the soil particles are interconnected.
12 3
(8) During the consolidation process, the lower
4 boundary of stress remains constant.
13
(9) Under the plastic settlement of soil, the vertical
14 5 movement of soil particles occurs due to horizontal
movements of underneath soil particles.
15
6
5. Testing Materials and Program

7
Two different types of soils are used in this investigation. A
16 series of tests are carried out to categorise these test ma-
8 terials. The physical properties along with maximum dry
density (MDD) and optimum moisture content (OMC)
obtained from the standard Proctor compaction test are
9
listed in Table 1.
Horizontal and vertical permeability tests are performed
on silty sand with clay soil and silty-clay soil under the four
10 different vertical stresses. 3D consolidation tests are also
performed with the same soils and same ranges of vertical
11 stresses. Validation of 3D consolidation test results is also
tried to bring out by using horizontal and vertical perme-
ability values.

6. Specimen Preparation and Experimental

Procedures
(1) Dial gauge (10) Lever loading system
The soils used for the experiments are silty sand with clay
(2) Loading frame (11) Load and silty-clay soil of Agartala, Tripura, India. The properties
(3) Plunger (12) Initial sitting loading plate with of these two types of soil are presented in Table 1.
61mm diameter centre hole
(4) Consolidation tank
(5) Side porous stone plate (13) Perforated loading plate
6.1. Horizontal Permeability under Confined Vertical
(14) Top porous stone below the initial
(6) Perforated cast iron box
sitting loading plate with 61mm
Pressure. Soil samples are remolded at their maximum dry
(7) Soil sample diameter centre hole densities (MDDs) in the permeability cell in three consec-
(8) Outlet (15) Top porous stone below
utive layers. After compaction of soil in the cell, the sample is
(9) Bottom thread the perforated loading plate removed from the cell, and the cubical sample is covered by
connected to outlet (16) Bottom porous stone a rubber membrane tube that is open at the two horizontal
opposite ends of the sample. The specimen is then again
Figure 3: Schematic diagram of the developed 3D consolidation placed in the permeability cell. The two caps along with the
apparatus. porous stone plate are attached to the cell on the two vertical
sides as shown in Figure 1(a), and the extra edges of the
a plunger. This device is capable of maintaining specified rubber membrane are stressed to the joining face of the cell
loads for long periods of time while the specimen is and cap. The joint is made water resistant by using rubber
deforming. sill. After assembling the permeability mold with the soil
sample, it is placed on the loading frame. A loading plate is
placed over the sample that is connected to the loading frame
4. Theoretical Considerations for Consolidation using a plunger as shown in Figure 1(b). The soil specimen is
Assumptions of the developed three-dimensional consoli- connected to the standpipe through the inlet. The standpipe
dation test are as follows: is filled with water, and a falling head permeability test is
performed under the vertical loads 100, 200, 400, and
(1) The soil is homogeneous and isotropic. 800 kN/m2 (kPa). The vertical loads are applied to the soil
(2) The soil is fully saturated. specimen by using the loading frame.
(3) Darcy’s law is valid.
(4) Vertical as well as lateral movements of soil particles 6.2. Vertical Permeability under Confined Vertical
are considered during the consolidation process. Pressure. The permeability mold is assembled as shown in
6 Advances in Civil Engineering

Table 1: Physical properties and compaction characteristics of 7.00E − 09

Coefficient of permeability, K (m/s)

soils [18].
6.00E − 09
Silty sand with Silty-clay
Soil properties 5.00E − 09
clay soil soil
Specific gravity 02.58 02.50 4.00E − 09
Liquid limit (%) 25.30 53.35
3.00E − 09
Plastic limit (%) 19.03 29.32
Plasticity index (%) 04.27 24.03 2.00E − 09

Grain size 1.00E − 09

Sand (%) 61.60 4.86 0.00E + 00
Silt (%) 21.68 41.46 0 200 400 600 800 1000
Clay (%) 16.72 53.68 Vertical stress, σ (kN/m2)
Optimum moisture content Horizontal coefficient of permeability
13.10 25.75
(OMC) (%) of silty sand with clay soil
Maximum dry density (MDD) Horizontal coefficient of permeability
18.80 15.60
(kN/m3) of silty-clay soil
Coefficient of permeability at Vertical coefficient of permeability of
8.87E − 09 3.39E − 10 silty sand with clay soil
MDD (m/s)
Vertical coefficient of permeability of
silty-clay soil
Figure 2(a). After assembling the mold, the soil sample is
remolded at their maximum dry density (MDD) in the Figure 4: Horizontal and vertical coefficients of permeability under
vertical confined stresses.
permeability cell in three consecutive layers. A collar is
attached to the top of the mold so that a constant water head
can maintain on top of the soil surface. Through the collar, to the soil sample. The vertical stresses are applied for 24
a filter paper, a porous stone, and a perforated loading plate hours, and a strain gauge measures the corresponding
of 99 mm × 99 mm cross-section are inserted. The loading settlement with time.
plate is connected to the loading frame using a plunger as
shown in Figure 2(b). The quantity of flow for a convenient 7. Test Results and Analysis
time interval is collected and measured when the steady state
of flow has been established under the vertical loads 100, 200, Experiments are conducted on two-faced soil samples. The
400, and 800 kN/m2 (kPa). The vertical loads are applied to physical properties along with maximum dry density
the soil specimen by using the loading frame. (MDD) and optimum moisture content (OMC) obtained
from the standard Proctor compaction test of the soils are
presented in Table 1. Horizontal and vertical permeability
6.3. 3D Consolidation. The inner sides of the cast iron tests, conventional one-dimensional consolidation tests, and
consolidation cell are covered by a filter paper before placing three-dimensional consolidation tests are conducted on
the soil sample. Soil samples are placed in the consolidation these soil samples, which are remolded at their MDD and
cell at their maximum dry density (MDD). Side porous stone OMC. By using the developed apparatus as shown in
plates (as shown in Figure 3) are placed at the four con- Figures 1 and 2, horizontal and vertical permeability tests are
secutive sides of the consolidation cell. A filter paper, conducted under different vertical confined pressures.
a porous stone plate, and a cast iron plate of a cross-sectional Three-dimensional consolidation tests with and without
size of 299 mm × 299 mm having a center hole of 61 mm surcharge pressures are conducted by using the developed
diameter are placed on the soil sample, one above the other. 3D consolidation apparatus as shown in Figure 3.
The cast iron plate is placed on the soil sample to apply an
initial seating pressure of 5 kN/m2 (kPa) and surcharge
pressures of 10, 15, 20, and 25 kN/m2 (kPa). Through the 7.1. Horizontal Permeability under Vertical Confined
61 mm diameter center hole, a filter paper, a porous stone, Stress. Horizontal permeability tests on silty sand with clay
and a perforated loading plate of 60 mm diameter have soil and silty-clay soils are performed under different vertical
inserted consecutively. The vertical load is applied to the top stresses. The horizontal permeability tests are performed by
perforated loading plate through a plunger by the lever using the developed horizontal permeability apparatus as
loading frame system as shown in Figure 3. A stress of shown in Figure 1. The falling head method is used in these
5 kN/m2 (kPa) is applied to the soil sample by the loading tests to measure the horizontal coefficient of permeability.
plate as a seating load, and it was kept for 48 hours to Horizontal permeability tests are conducted under 100, 200,
saturate the soil sample. A strain gauge is attached to the 400, and 800 kN/m2 (kPa) vertical stresses. Figure 4 shows
loading frame system to measure the settlement of soil under the horizontal coefficient of permeability of silty sand with
different loads. After 48 hours, different vertical stresses like clay soil and silty-clay soil under different vertical stresses.
100, 200, 400, and 800 kN/m2 (kPa) are consecutively applied From this figure, it is observed that, with the increase of
Advances in Civil Engineering 7

vertical stresses, the horizontal coefficient of permeability Table 2: Coefficient of volume change under different vertical
decreases. The horizontal coefficients of permeability pressures for silty sand with clay soil and silty-clay soil tested by 1D
without vertical stress are 9.91E − 09 and 4.60E − 10 m/sec oedometer.
for silty sand with clay soil and silty-clay soil, respec- Coefficient of
tively, and at 800 kN/m2 (kPa) vertical stresses, the Vertical stress
Types of soil volume change
horizontal coefficients of permeability are 5.30E − 09 and σ (kN/m2) mv × 10−4 (m2/kN)
2.00E − 09 m/s for silty sand with clay soil and silty-clay 100 02.90
soil, respectively. 200 01.50
Silty sand with clay soil
400 00.75
800 00.56
7.2. Vertical Permeability under Confined Vertical 100 03.80
Stress. Vertical permeability tests on silty sand with clay soil 200 02.40
Silty-clay soil
and silty-clay soil are also performed under different vertical 400 01.10
stresses. The vertical permeability tests are performed by 800 00.86
using the developed vertical permeability apparatus as
shown in Figure 2. The constant head method is used for the
Table 3: 3D coefficient of consolidation of soils using horizontal
vertical permeability test to measure the vertical coefficient
and vertical permeability values under different vertical pressures.
of permeability. Like horizontal permeability tests, vertical
permeability tests are also conducted under 100, 200, 400, Coefficient of
Vertical stress
and 800 kN/m2 (kPa) vertical stresses. Figure 4 also shows Types of soil consolidation
the vertical coefficient of permeability of silty sand with clay σ (kN/m2) cv3 × 10−6 (m2/s)
soil and silty-clay soil under different vertical stresses. From 100 4.341
this figure, it is observed that, with the increase of vertical Silty sand with 200 8.126
stresses, the vertical coefficient of permeability decreases. clay soil 400 16.093
The vertical coefficients of permeability without vertical 800 19.896
stresses are 8.87E − 09 and 3.39E − 10 m/s for silty sand with 100 1.380
clay soil and silty-clay soil, respectively, and at 800 kN/m2 200 2.082
Silty-clay soil
400 4.538
(kPa) vertical stresses, the vertical coefficients of perme-
800 4.814
ability are 5.42E − 10 and 1.40E − 10 m/s for silty sand with
clay soil and silty-clay soil, respectively.
kv k
cv3 � +2 h , (1)
7.3. Rate of Consolidation from Coefficient of Permeability. The m v cw m v cw
coefficient of consolidation is evaluated by using per-
meability values in Terzaghi’s consolidation theory. In Ter- where cv3 � three-dimensional coefficient of consolidation,
zaghi’s consolidation theory, the combined effects of kv � vertical coefficient of permeability, kh � horizontal co-
compressibility and permeability are used to assess the efficient of permeability, mv � coefficient of volume change,
coefficient of consolidation values. Table 2 presents the and cw � unit weight of water.
coefficient of volume change values under different vertical By using (1), three-dimensional coefficients of consoli-
pressures for silty sand with clay soil and silty-clay soil dation are assessed with the help of kv and kh values and are
tested by 1D oedometer. Horizontal and vertical perme- presented in Table 3. Three-dimensional consolidation
ability values under different vertical pressures are evaluated values are also evaluated by using the 3D consolidation
using the developed horizontal and vertical permeability apparatus, and the resultant values of the 3D coefficient of
apparatus and are shown in Figure 4. consolidation are shown in Table 4.
According to Terzaghi’s consolidation theory,
cvx � kx /mv cw � coefficient of consolidation in the x 7.4. Rate of Consolidation of Soil by Using the 3D Consoli-
direction dation Apparatus. The coefficient of consolidation (cv) is
cvy � ky /mv cw � coefficient of consolidation in the y determined by comparing the relationship between elapsed
direction time (t) and dial gauge reading of the soil sample in the
laboratory to the theoretical relationship between Tv and U.
cvz � kz /mv cw � coefficient of consolidation in the z
“Taylor’s square root of time fitting method” is used to find
direction
out the cv values for the three-dimensional cases [17]. In case
For the case of axisymmetry, cvx � cvy � cvh (say). of the three-dimensional consolidation, the coefficient of
cvh � kh /mv cw � coefficient of consolidation in the hor- consolidation is calculated by using the equation
izontal direction. cv � (Tv )90R2 /t90 for silty sand with clay soil and silty-clay
Now, soil of Agartala, Tripura, India. The coefficients of consol-
cv3 � cvx + cvy + cvz � cvz + 2cvh � (kz /mv cw ) + 2kh /mv cw . idation values obtained by using the developed 3D con-
So, solidation apparatus are presented in Table 4.
8 Advances in Civil Engineering

Table 4: Values of 3D coefficient of consolidation of soils by using 2.50E − 05

Coefficient of consolidation, cv3 (m2/sec)

the developed 3D consolidation apparatus under different vertical
pressures.
2.00E − 05
Coefficient of
Vertical stresses
Types of soil consolidation
σ (kN/m2) cv3 × 10−6 (m2/s) 1.50E − 05
100 3.267
Silty sand with 200 7.131 1.00E − 05
clay soil 400 14.927
800 18.471
5.00E − 06
100 1.037
200 1.870
Silty-clay soil
400 4.301 0.00E + 00
800 4.618 0 200 400 600 800 1000
Consolidative vertical stress, σ (kN/m2)

A comparison is developed between the coefficient of By 3D consolidometer apparatus

consolidation values, assessed by the developed 3D con- By horizontal and vertical permeability
solidation apparatus, and horizontal and vertical perme-
Figure 5: Comparison of coefficient of consolidation of silty sand
ability apparatus. The comparison is presented in Figures 5
with clay soil evaluated by the 3D consolidation apparatus and
and 6. horizontal and vertical permeability values.

7.5. Compression Indices of Soil Using the 3D Consolida-

tion Apparatus under Different Surcharge Pressures. In this 6.00E − 06
Coefficient of consolidation, cv3 (m2/sec)

study, three-dimensional consolidation tests are performed

by using the three-dimensional consolidation apparatus as 5.00E − 06
shown in Figure 3, which is the extension of the 3D con-
solidation apparatus presented by Laskar and Pal [17]. Silty 4.00E − 06
sand with clay soil and silty-clay soil are used in the test.
Consolidation tests are performed under different surcharge 3.00E − 06
pressures like 0.00, 10.00, 15.00, 20.00, and 25.00 kN/m2
(kPa). Table 5 shows the compression index values under 2.00E − 06
different surcharge pressures and consolidative vertical
stresses. 1.00E − 06

8. Discussions 0.00E + 00
0 200 400 600 800 1000
The following discussions are made in this section: Consolidative vertical stress, σ (kN/m2)

(i) Assessment of horizontal and vertical permeability By 3D consolidometer apparatus

of soil under vertical stress and comparison between By horizontal and vertical permeability
them
Figure 6: Comparison of coefficient of consolidation of silty-clay
(ii) Evaluation of coefficient of consolidation using soil evaluated by the 3D consolidation apparatus and horizontal
horizontal and vertical permeability values and and vertical permeability values.
comparison of it with the coefficient of consolida-
tion obtained from the 3D consolidation test show different permeabilities under different vertical stresses.
(iii) Effects of surcharge pressures on 3D consolidation In this study, horizontal and vertical permeability tests are
of soil performed under different vertical stresses using the developed
horizontal and vertical permeability apparatus as shown in
Figures 1 and 2. These permeability tests are performed on silty
8.1. Assessment of Horizontal and Vertical Permeability of sand with clay soil and silty-clay soils, which are compacted at
Soil under Vertical Stress and Comparison between Them. In MDD and OMC. The horizontal and vertical coefficients of
most of the cases, the permeability of soil is different in permeability results under different vertical stresses on silty
horizontal and vertical directions. The coefficient of per- sand with clay soil and silty-clay soil are presented in Figure 4.
meability is one of the most uncertain soil properties, and its From this figure, it is observed that horizontal permeability of
value may vary based on different magnitudes. Vertical stress the soil is higher than the vertical permeability of the soil, and
on soil is one of the most important factors among the with the increase of vertical stresses, the horizontal and vertical
several factors, which are having a large impact on the permeability of soil decreases. With the increase of vertical
permeability of soil. A relatively homogeneous soil layer will stresses on soil, consolidation of soil occurs and thereby the
Advances in Civil Engineering 9

Table 5: Compression indices and coefficient of consolidation of soils using the 3D consolidation apparatus under surcharge pressures.
Surcharge pressures Consolidative vertical stresses Compression indices Coefficient of consolidation
Types of soil
(kN/m2) σ (kN/m2) Cc cv3 × 10−6 (m2/s)
100 0.0130 03.26
200 0.0290 07.13
00
400 0.0461 14.92
800 0.1920 18.47
100 0.0106 03.08
200 0.0243 06.78
10
400 0.0387 14.16
800 0.1632 17.55
100 0.0099 03.04
200 0.0228 06.65
Silty sand with clay soil 15
400 0.0365 13.87
800 0.1542 17.16
100 0.0093 02.94
200 0.0215 06.15
20
400 0.0345 13.44
800 0.1458 16.63
100 0.0088 02.70
200 0.0203 05.86
25
400 0.0326 12.88
800 0.1370 15.86
100 0.0261 01.03
200 0.0560 01.87
00
400 0.1190 04.30
800 0.2993 04.61
100 0.0202 00.94
200 0.0420 01.72
10
400 0.0904 03.95
800 0.2304 04.24
100 0.0181 00.90
200 0.0382 01.62
Silty-clay soil 15
400 0.0831 03.77
800 0.2119 04.00
100 0.0157 00.86
200 0.0334 01.53
20
400 0.0739 03.60
800 0.1907 03.85
100 0.0133 00.84
200 0.0257 01.51
25
400 0.0642 33.10
800 0.1668 03.71

void ratio of soil decreases [19–21]. Due to a decrease in the the coefficient of consolidation values. Table 3 presents the
void ratio with the increase of vertical stresses, the permeability coefficient of consolidation values that are evaluated by
of this soil reduces. using horizontal and vertical permeability values. Co-
efficients of consolidation of silty sand with clay soil and
silty-clay soils are also evaluated using the developed 3D
8.2. Evaluation of the Coefficient of Consolidation Using consolidation apparatus, and the values are shown in Table 4.
Horizontal and Vertical Permeability Values and Comparing A comparison of these two different methods by which the
It with the Coefficient of Consolidation Obtained from the coefficient of consolidation values is evaluated (i.e., by using
3D Consolidation Test. In this study, the coefficient of permeability values and 3D consolidation apparatus) is
consolidation of silty sand with clay soil and silty-clay soil is drawn and presented in Figures 5 and 6. From these figures,
evaluated by using horizontal and vertical permeability it is observed that the coefficients of consolidation values
values and compared it with the coefficient of consolidation evaluated from the permeability values are closer to the
values obtained from the 3D consolidation apparatus. The coefficient of consolidation values evaluated from the de-
coefficient of consolidation is evaluated by using horizontal veloped 3D consolidation apparatus. Errors between these
and vertical permeability values in Terzaghi’s consolidation two evaluation methods are assessed and presented in Table 6.
theory. In Terzaghi’s consolidation theory, the combined The errors are observed within the range of −4.00 to −25.00%
effects of compressibility and permeability are used to assess depending on the vertical stresses.
10 Advances in Civil Engineering

Table 6: Comparison of the coefficient of consolidation evaluated by horizontal and vertical permeability values and the 3D consolidation
apparatus.
Vertical Coefficient of consolidation by Coefficient of consolidation by 3D
Errors
Soil types stresses permeability values consolidation apparatus
(%)
σ (kN/m2) cv3 × 10−6 (m2/s) cv3 × 10−6 (m2/s)
100 04.341 03.267 −24.75
Silty sand with clay 200 08.126 07.131 −12.24
soil 400 16.093 14.927 −07.24
800 19.896 18.471 −07.16
100 1.380 1.037 −24.95
200 2.082 1.870 −10.18
Silty-clay soil
400 4.538 4.301 −05.21
800 4.814 4.618 −04.05

8.3. Effects of Surcharge Pressures on 3D Consolidation of change and so that the permeability of the same soil layer will
Soil. In this part of the study, 3D consolidation tests are change with the changes of depth and corresponding vertical
performed on silty sand with clay soil and silty-clay soil stresses. In this study, horizontal and vertical permeability
under different surcharge pressures by using the developed apparatus are fabricated to assess the horizontal and vertical
3D consolidation apparatus as shown in Figure 3. In a three- permeability of soil under different consolidative vertical
dimensional consolidation of soil, lateral and vertical stresses. By using these permeability apparatus, it is possible
movements of soil particles, as well as lateral and vertical to precisely predict the permeability of soil by considering
movements of pore water, are taken into consideration. The the in situ vertical stresses on that soil.
soil under consolidation may have isotropic or anisotropic The conventional method of evaluation of settlement
surrounding soil layers that affect the lateral movement of from the result of oedometer tests assumes that the soil only
soil particles under consolidation and also affect the lateral has a vertical strain and there will be no lateral strain. It also
movement of pore water. If the surcharge pressure on assumes that the pore water dissipation only occurs in the
surrounding soil increases, then the soil gets denser, and vertical direction, and there will be no radial flow of water.
hence, the horizontal movement of consolidating soil and The lateral confinement of the soil sample in the case of the
horizontal pore water reduces. The results of 3D consoli- one-dimensional oedometer test is to be taken as repre-
dation of silty sand with clay soil and silty-clay soil under sentative of the actual soil conditions. The newly developed
different surcharge pressures are presented in Table 5. From three-dimensional consolidation apparatus allows the ver-
this table, it is observed that with the increase in surcharge tical and horizontal movement of soil particles, and it also
pressures, the compression index and coefficient of con- allows the vertical and the radial flow of water during the
solidation values decrease for both the soils. The surcharge consolidation process under different consolidative vertical
pressures have a great influence on consolidation charac- pressures and surcharge pressures. In this study, it is ob-
teristics. The rate of consolidation of soil is proportional to served that there is a large effect of surcharge pressures on
the rate of extraction of pore water from the soil sample. consolidation characteristics of the soil. In in situ conditions,
With the extraction of pore water from soil mass, the ar- any consolidating soil layer may have different surcharge
rangement of the skeleton of soil changed and due to which pressures, which affect the consolidation behavior of that
settlement occurs. At the time of rearrangement of soil soil. As the developed 3D consolidation apparatus may
particles with the extraction of water, it may move in perform the 3D consolidation tests under different surcharge
horizontal and in vertical directions. Due to the increase in pressures, it may appropriately imitate the in situ soil
surcharge pressures, the void ratio of soil reduces, and it conditions and may predict more precise consolidation
becomes denser, and because of that, the horizontal results.
movement of soil particles and lateral extraction of pore
water reduce, and the corresponding compression index and 10. Concluding Remarks
the rate of consolidation also reduce.
This study concentrates on the development of the hori-
zontal and vertical permeability apparatus, where it is
9. Practical Field Applications possible to perform the test under different vertical stresses.
A 3D consolidation apparatus is also presented in this study
Correct prediction of permeability and consolidation
by which 3D consolidation tests are performed under dif-
characteristics of soil are the most important and critical task
ferent surcharge pressures. The entire tests are performed
in the geotechnical engineering field. A soil layer in in situ
with silty sand with clay soil and silty-clay soil of Agartala,
condition may show different permeability values in hori-
Tripura, India. Based on the results and discussions made
zontal and vertical directions. Again, the vertical depth of the
above, the following conclusions may be outlined:
soil layer is also a key factor that affects the permeability of
the soil. With the change in depth of a soil layer from the (1) The horizontal permeability of the soil is higher than
ground surface, the vertical stress on that soil layer will the vertical permeability of the soil, and the
Advances in Civil Engineering 11

permeability of soil decreases with the increase in [8] L. Rozsa, Foundation Engineering Handbook, Muszaki
vertical stresses. Könyvkiadó, Budapest, Hungary, 1977, (in Hungarian).
[9] G. Kovacs, The Hydraulics of Seepage, Akadémiai Kiadó,
(2) In case of the 3D consolidation of soil, the consol- Budapest, Hungary, 1972, (in Hungarian).
idation characteristics are largely affected by the [10] M. A. Biot, “General theory of three-dimensional consoli-
surcharge pressures. With the increase in surcharge dation,” Journal of Applied Physics, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 155–164,
pressures, the surrounding soil of consolidating soil 1941.
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movements of consolidating soil particles. It also settlement analysis of foundations on clay,” Geotechnique,
reduces the lateral movement of pore water. The vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 168–178, 1957.
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under 3D consolidation reduce due to the increase in with anisotropic permeability using analytical layer-element
vertical surcharge pressures. method,” Acta Mechanica Solida Sinica, vol. 26, no. 1,
pp. 62–70, 2013.
(3) Coefficients of consolidation of silty sand with clay [13] Z. Y. Ai, Q. S. Wang, and J. Han, “Transfer matrix solutions to
soil and silty-clay soil are evaluated using horizontal axisymmetric and non-axisymmetric consolidation of mul-
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with coefficients of consolidation values obtained 2010.
from the developed 3D consolidation apparatus. The [14] Z. Y. Ai and Z. Y. Cheng, “Transfer matrix solutions to plane-
coefficient of consolidation is evaluated using hori- strain and three-dimensional Biot’s consolidation of multi-
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consolidation theory, where combined effects of pp. 244–251, 2009.
[15] Z. Y. Ai and Q. S. Wang, “A new analytical solution to
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[17] A. Laskar and S. K. Pal, “Investigation of the effects of an-
Conflicts of Interest isotropic flow of pore water and multilayered soils on three-
dimensional consolidation characteristics,” Advances in
The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest Materials Science and Engineering, vol. 2017, Article ID
regarding the publication of this article. 8568953, 11 pages, 2017.
[18] A. Laskar and S. K. Pal, “The effects of different surcharge
pressures on 3-D consolidation of soil,” International Journal
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The authors are grateful to the Director of National Institute [19] R. E. Gibson, G. L. England, and M. J. L. Hussey, “The theory
of one-dimensional consolidation of saturated clays. Part I:
of Technology Agartala for providing necessary research
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[20] P. J. Fox and J. D. Berles, “CS2: a piecewise-linear model for
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