Computation of Soil Compressibility Using Tangent Modulus Approach
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Date
2003-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
There are several mechanisms causing settlement of a structure. Different structures have varying potential to withstand the settlement that takes place Thus, its determination has to be given due consideration by engineers as it affects these structures from functioning properly if not limited to a permissible value. Soils consist of solid particles and void space. Gas or water or combination of both occupies the void space. When loaded the water and air gets squeezed out resulting in settlement. Determination of settlement and the rate at which the expulsion takes place is determined from the theory of consolidation. The classical approach, which is widely used in our country and other parts of the world, has limitations. These limitations have contributed for the development of the tangent modulus approach. The tangent modulus approach provides better way of determining settlement for various types of soil ranging from hard to very soft soil. In the method the soil property, which is determined from laboratory soil deformation tests, are used. In the approach a compression modulus also called the constrained modulus, the tangent to a linear plot of stress versus strain curves determined from laboratory tests play a significant role. It is emphasized on this property of the soil, as it is a measure of resistance of the soil against deformation due to change in loading condition The compression modulus, measures of the resistance of a media or an isolated part of it against a forced change of equilibrium condition. It is based on the resistance concept, which is very well developed in other field of engineering, except that its application for settlement analysis in soil mechanics is new.
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Keywords
Tangent Modulus; Resistance; Modulus Number and Strain