Site investigation · Laboratory: strength & consolidation

Free swell & swell pressure (oedometer) calculator

Free swell strain under seating load and swell pressure from the constant-volume or load-back method.

Standard: AS 1289.7.1.2 (related) · ASTM D4546

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Inputs in the worked example

The live calculator starts with these values; change any of them and every result, check and diagram updates instantly.

InputValueUnit
Initial height19mm
Free swell heave1.14mm
Load to return to H0 (load-back)185kPa
Design vertical stress60kPa

Worked example — results

ResultValueUnit
Free swell strain6.00%
Est. swell strain under design stress (log-linear)1.29%
ps 185 kPa (to hold volume)swell ΔH 1.14 mmH0 19free swell εs = 6.00% · at σv 60 kPa ≈ 1.29%00.5limit 1.0Swell pressure < design stress (no heave)3.08 FAIL
Diagram for the worked example

Method, formulas and assumptions

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For preliminary design and education. Check every result against the current standard and your own engineering judgement before use.