A study on an alluvial clay consolidation indices due to preloading - case study / Abu Bakar Nas'sha'aban Ayeb

A series of consolidation tests is carried out to determine the consolidation characteristics of alluvial clay underlying an area in Pelabuhan Kelang , Selangor D.E. The area was originally a swamp and the existing conditions of the area could be categorised as follows: i) ii) iii) iv) preloaded area for 30 years, reclaimed area for 7 years, land till area for 1 year and swamp. Overburden pressure over the original swamp was estimated between 20 and 30 kPa and water level ranged from 0.70m to 0.90m with tidal effects. The alluvial clay can be classified as silty clay of high plasticity and is normally consolidated. Consolidation test results showed that the preloaded areas were highly compressible with low permeability. Correlations between consolidation indices and preloading duration were acceptable indicating that preloading would reduce settlement. From variation of compression parameters, it is anticipated that differential settlements would occur if existing conditions of the Site are not considered during the design and construction stages.