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

Abstract

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 permeability 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 consolidation 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.