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.
| Input | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Initial height | 19 | mm |
| Free swell heave | 1.14 | mm |
| Load to return to H0 (load-back) | 185 | kPa |
| Design vertical stress | 60 | kPa |
Worked example — results
| Result | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Free swell strain | 6.00 | % |
| Est. swell strain under design stress (log-linear) | 1.29 | % |
- ✗ Swell pressure < design stress (no heave)
Method, formulas and assumptions
- Free swell strain = 100*1.14/19 = 6 %
- Est. swell strain under design stress (log-linear) = IF(60>=185,0,6*LOG10(185/60)/LOG10(185/1)) = 1.2942 %
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For preliminary design and education. Check every result against the current standard and your own engineering judgement before use.