Soil Testing – Automatic Consolidation Test Part 2 – Execution and Results

Consolidation Testing Part 1 described the initial setup for a Consolidation Test involving the System Setup and Test Creation using an Automatic CONSolidation (ACONS) Instrument. Consolidation Testing Part 2 will deal with the Test Execution and Results.

Initial Test Stage Conditions

For both stages (Swelling and Consolidation) there is an identical ‘Initial Data’ option from the pull down menu for the Stage, which allows the User to view the Initial Data set up if required as a reminder. The Swelling Stage selection and the resultant window are shown below.

Live Test Data View Control

For both stages (Swelling and Consolidation) there is an identical ‘View’ option from the pull down menu for the Stage to observe Live Data for the specimen being tested (Consolidation Stage selection and display shown below).

Test Graph Data View Control

For both stages (Swelling and Consolidation) the User has the option to view graphical information, either whilst the Test Stage is running or following Test Stage completion. New graphs can be created using the ‘New…’ option, existing User Defined graphs can be displayed using the ‘Open…’ option, multiple User Defined graphs can be sorted using the ‘Organise…’ option and graph data can be deleted using the ‘Clear’ option. Alternatively, pre-defined graphs can be selected as shown.

An example Consolidation Test graph is shown below. Cursors can be used to find the t50 or t90 values as required.

Test Table Data View Control

For both stages (Swelling and Consolidation) the User has the option to view tabular information, either whilst the Test Stage is running or following Test Stage completion. New Tables can be created using the ‘New…’ option, existing User Defined Tables can be displayed using the ‘Open…’ option, multiple User Defined Tables can be sorted using the ‘Organise…’ option and Table data can be deleted using the ‘Clear’ option. Alternatively, pre-defined Tables can be selected.

The resultant table for the selected Consolidation stage schedule is shown below. The Consolidation Table from any schedule can be selected from the Stage pull-down menu.

Test Plan View Control

IMPORTANT: This option should be used for viewing the Test Plan Setup only.

These settings SHOULD NOT be changed here as this may cause improper test operation (from the Configuration set up).

For both stages (Swelling and Consolidation), the Test Plan can be viewed in detail if required. Selection of the Swelling Test Plan is shown below.

From the resultant window, detailed information can be viewed about individual Stage schedules (in this example the termination logic for the Swelling Stage).

Consolidation Test Control

For both stages (Swelling and Consolidation), there are identical Control options from the menu bar. This illustrates the Saturation Stage Test Control option.

‘Run’ will start the selected Stage schedule and commence data logging when the Trigger conditions are satisfied.

‘Stop’ will cancel any running procedures for the selected Stage schedule, even if the Halt conditions for that Stage have not been satisfied.

‘Clear’ will delete all stored data relating to the selected Stage schedule.

Selection of any of the ‘Control’ options will result in a popup window from which the required Specimen Schedule can be selected.

The Consolidation Test can also be controlled from the Test Summary Window. Right clicking on the required schedule will present the same control options as just described and also an additional ‘Status…’ option. Selecting the ‘Status…’ option will display information on the schedule’s Status.

Results

Clicking on the ‘Results’ button on the menu bar will display the ‘Final Data’ window.

Final moisture details and Settlement details following Test completion can be viewed.

Reports

Once all Consolidation Tests have been completed, clicking on the 'Reports' button will display a menu from which various Test Reports may be viewed. Selection of the 'Summary' option will display an extremely useful Summary Report window.

The summary report is generated as a (.rdlc) report definition file for viewing, with options to alter the Page Layout if required, Print, Save as a PDF file or Export to PDF, Word or Excel.

The report summarizes the Test Type and Sample Details, the Initial Conditions, summaries of the Test Stages, descriptions of the Test, Client and Site and also signatory boxes for Quality Control purposes.

Selection of the ‘Settlement’ option from the reports menu enables the technician to generate as many settlement reports as required for the Consolidation Increments in Logarithmic or Square Root Time bases as shown below.

The report generated for the 100 kPa increment is illustrated.

Data Export and Import

All data relating to this test can be exported in Excel or AGS format for further processing if required by selecting the appropriate option from the ‘Export’ pull-down menu. The whole Consolidation Test can also be exported to a Script, which can then be stored and imported at a later date or made available to another User.