Question

From the calculations consideration of a consolidation test data, the change in thickness can be both positive and negative.

(a) True

(b) False

I had been asked this question by my school principal while I was bunking the class.

Question is taken from Calculation of Voids Ratio and Coefficient of Volume Change topic in chapter One Dimensional Consolidation of Geotechnical Engineering I

Answer 1

Right answer is (a) True

The explanation is: From the calculations consideration of a consolidation test data, the change in thickness can be both positive and negative. The negative sign denotes the decrease height due to loading and the positive sign denotes the increase in height due to unloading of the specimen.