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IS 12287:1988 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for consolidometer for determination of consolidation properties. This standard specifies the requirements for the apparatus, known as a consolidometer or oedometer, used for determining the consolidation properties of soil. It covers the material, dimensions, and construction of components like the consolidation ring, porous stones, and the loading device to ensure accurate and repeatable soil testing.
consolidometer for determination of consolidation properties
Standard Test Methods for One-Dimensional Consolidation Properties of Soils Using Incremental Loading
Specifies both the test method and the required apparatus (consolidometer), directly overlapping IS 12287's scope.
BS EN ISO 17892-5:2017BSI / ISO, UK / International
HighCurrent
Geotechnical investigation and testing — Laboratory testing of soil — Part 5: Incremental loading oedometer test
The ISO standard for the test method, which includes detailed specifications for the oedometer apparatus.
BS 1377-5:1990BSI, UK
HighWithdrawn
Methods of test for soils for civil engineering purposes. Compressibility, permeability and durability tests
The former British standard that was a direct contemporary and equivalent, specifying oedometer apparatus requirements.
Key Differences
≠IS 12287 specifies a fixed specimen ring height of 20 mm, whereas ASTM D2435 allows for a minimum of 12.7 mm and BS EN ISO 17892-5 requires a minimum of 20 mm and at least 4 times the maximum particle size.
≠The Indian standard is a standalone specification for the apparatus, while modern international standards like ASTM D2435 and ISO 17892-5 integrate the apparatus specifications within the overall test method standard.
≠IS 12287 specifies a dial gauge with a 0.002 mm least count, which was standard for its time. ASTM and ISO standards permit this but strongly encourage or effectively require the use of electronic displacement transducers for better precision and automated data acquisition.
≠BS EN ISO 17892-5 provides a quantitative requirement for porous stone permeability (k > 1x10⁻⁶ m/s), whereas IS 12287 gives a qualitative requirement that it must be 'considerably greater than that of the soil'.
Key Similarities
≈All standards are based on the same fundamental principle of applying vertical stress to a laterally confined soil sample to measure one-dimensional compression.
≈The core components of the apparatus are identical across all standards: a rigid consolidation ring, top and bottom porous stones, a loading cap, a water bath/cell, a loading frame, and a deformation measuring device.
≈All standards require that the consolidation ring be made of a stiff, non-corrodible material to ensure lateral confinement and prevent chemical reactions with the soil.
≈The requirement for porous stones to be placed on the top and bottom of the specimen to facilitate drainage is a universal feature in all the compared standards.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Internal Diameter of Ring
60 mm
Minimum 50 mm (2.00 in.)
ASTM D2435 / D2435M - 20
Specimen Height
20 mm
Minimum 20 mm and ≥ 4 times the max particle size
BS EN ISO 17892-5:2017
Specimen Diameter to Height Ratio
3:1 (derived)
Should be between 2.5 and 4
BS EN ISO 17892-5:2017
Deformation Gauge Least Count
0.002 mm
0.0025 mm (0.0001 in.) or better
ASTM D2435 / D2435M - 20
Loading System Accuracy
±1 percent of the applied load
±1% of the applied pressure or ±0.5% of the device's maximum capacity, whichever is greater
ASTM D2435 / D2435M - 20
Porous Stone Thickness
10 to 12 mm
Approximately one-half of the ring height
ASTM D2435 / D2435M - 20
Ring Wall Thickness
Not explicitly specified (must be rigid)
Shall be thick enough to prevent lateral deformation of the specimen (typically >3mm for a 50mm ring)
BS EN ISO 17892-5:2017
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values6
Quick Reference Values
Standard internal diameter of consolidation ring60 mm
Standard height of consolidation ring20 mm
Standard thickness of porous stones12 mm
Minimum loading capacity of apparatus10 kg/cm²
Minimum permeability of porous stones10 times the permeability of the soil being tested