ABSTRACT
Dissipation tests are carried out with two main purposes: the estimation of the horizontal coefficient of consolidation, ch, and the evaluation of the equilibrium pore pressure. Regarding the first case, even in soft clays the duration of the test doesn´t need to be more than 40 minutes, in most situations. However, in the latter case a long time is needed to reach equilibrium, even when probes with small diameters are used. The present paper presents results of long-term dissipation tests performed in a soft clay layer, aiming at the decision of executing or not an underpinning of shallow foundations of a damaged warehouse which suffered significant settlements.
