The two consolidation tests shown in Fig. 8.3 start out at zero vertical strain. Then as the vertical
pressure is increased in increments, the soil consolidates and the vertical strain increases. The usual
procedure is to apply a vertical pressure that is double the previously applied pressure (load increment
ratio = 1.0). However, as shown in Fig. 8.3, in order to better define the consolidation curve,
the loading increments can be adjusted to better define the breaking point of the consolidation curve.
For the two consolidation tests performed on Orinoco clay (Fig. 8.3), the specimens were loaded up
to a vertical pressure of 12 kg/cm2 (24,600 psf, 1180 kPa) and then unloaded