Document Type
Thesis
Date of Award
Spring 5-31-2003
Degree Name
Master of Science in Civil Engineering - (M.S.)
Department
Civil and Environmental Engineering
First Advisor
Raj P. Khera
Second Advisor
Dorairaja Raghu
Third Advisor
John R. Schuring
Abstract
In this study, an analysis was done on a particular clay layer found in the city of Belem do Para, Brazil. Various soil tests were conducted including a consolidation analysis. Data were gathered and analyzed in order to obtain a better understanding of how the soil responds under certain loading conditions. There have been no previous studies done on this material and so when it has been encountered in the field geotechnical engineers provide the safest, but not necessarily best design method possible. In the case of large buildings, piles are driven past this material to competent sand. There have been many instances where small buildings or homes were built on a highly compacted sand layer that overlies this clay. Eventually these structures failed due to differential settlement (Alencar, 1999). The data obtained from this analysis will be used as a guide to the construction of certain structures in this area.
The area of study was chosen because there have been no previous studies done on this material and since the city is fairly young, the problem of long-term settlement could cause a threat to existing structures in which certain design criteria may have been overlooked.
Recommended Citation
Bezerra, John Jr., "The consolidation analysis of a clay layer in the city of Belem do Para, Brazil" (2003). Theses. 610.
https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/theses/610
