Compression index of soil

Abstract

The construction of foundations or other load-bearing structures causes the soil layers to compress due to an increase in the stress acting on the soil. This compression of the soil layers is caused by the deformation of soil structures or the reduction of void volume due to expulsion of water and air from the void spaces.

The knowledge of soil settlement is important due to the negative impact of excessive deformation on structures. The focus of this study will be on the relationship between the compression index (Cc) of soil and the rate at which the stress is applied.

The experimental results were obtained from the isotropic consolidation tests using the modified Triaxial apparatus. From the results, the reduction of void volume is known and the compression index is calculated from the plot of void ratio, e against effective stress, σ’.