1.2.1. Normally Consolidated Soils

Try these first

1. 1.

   Define normally consolidated soil.

   Hint

   Think about the conditions under which the soil was formed.

2. 2.

   What is preconsolidation pressure?

   Hint

   Consider what happens during compression of soil.

3. 3.

   What is preconsolidation pressure?

   • The current vertical stress
   • The maximum effective stress from history
   • An average stress over time

   Hint

   Consider how stress history influences current soil strength.

4. 4.

   True or False: Over-consolidated soils have never experienced a stress greater than the present stress.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Think about what it means to be over-consolidated.

5. 5.

   A site is being prepared for construction. Soil samples show it is normally consolidated. Discuss how this will affect foundation design.

   Hint

   Consider the characteristics of normally consolidated soils.

6. 6.

   You are tasked with assessing a construction site's soil, which shows signs of under-consolidation upon testing. What recommendations would you make?

   Hint

   Think of methods to stabilize or improve the soil condition.