Application of digital image processing in determination of soil consolidation coefficient

Abstract

Abstract In geotechnical engineering, in order to perform analyzes related to consolidation settlement, appropriate values ​​of consolidation coefficient should be available. One-dimensional consolidation test with Casagrande odometer is a conventional method to determine the value of consolidation coefficient. Due to the recent significant developments in digital image technology in the field of geotechnical engineering and due to the reasonable costs and high accuracy of measurement, various researchers have used this technique in the analysis of soil deformation characteristics. In this research, the digital image processing (DIP) technique has been used to determine the deformation of the consolidation sample during the consolidation process. Due to the limitations of the conventional consolidation machine in terms of sample dimensions and also the lack of visibility of the sample and as a result the inability to take pictures, a new large-scale consolidation machine has been made. In order to ensure the proper functioning of the new device, 3 series of consolidation tests have been performed on Tabriz saturated clay samples with the new consolidation device as well as the conventional consolidation device. The comparison of the results shows that the consolidation parameters measured by the new device are comparable to the conventional odometer device. Then, by performing 4 series of consolidation tests with a new consolidation device and taking pictures of the sample during the consolidation process, the information related to the deformation of the sample was recorded and with the help of the DIP technique, the deformation of the consolidation sample, and as a result, the load-deformation information was measured and the consolidation coefficient of the samples has been determined based on them. The results show the accuracy and efficiency of the DIP technique in determining soil consolidation parameters.