Oedométricos

Oedométricos refers to consolidation tests performed in a laboratory setting. These tests are fundamental in geotechnical engineering for determining the compressibility characteristics of soil. The primary device used is the oedometer, a cylindrical metal ring that contains a sample of soil. A constant radial confinement is imposed on the soil sample by the rigid walls of the oedometer ring, allowing for one-dimensional vertical strain only.

During an oedométricos test, the soil specimen is subjected to a series of increasing vertical loads, typically applied in stages. At each load increment, the vertical deformation of the soil is measured over time. Water is allowed to drain freely from the top and bottom surfaces of the specimen, which simulates natural drainage conditions. The rate at which water is expelled and the resulting settlement are recorded.

The data obtained from an oedométricos test allows for the calculation of several important soil parameters. These include the coefficient of consolidation (c_v), which describes the rate at which consolidation occurs, and the coefficient of volume compressibility (m_v), which quantifies the volume change per unit increase in stress. Additionally, the preconsolidation pressure can be determined, representing the maximum past vertical stress the soil has experienced. This information is crucial for predicting settlement under applied loads in foundations and other structures, and for understanding the behavior of soils in various civil engineering applications.