Load Conditional Field Settlement For Free

As noted previously, consolidation settlement is the time-dependent volume change that occurs as the excess pore water pressure, developed during load application, gradually dissipates and is transferred to the soil skeleton. From: Encyclopedia of Physical Science and Technology (Third Edition), 2003.

It is the process by which the volume of soil is decreased by removal of water from the pore of the soil mass. When the saturated soil layer is subjected to increasing stress, the hydrostatic stress suddenly increases.

Consolidation plays an important role in stability analysis for the embankment, footings or a column constructed on clayey soils. The settlement behaviour of these structures and the pore pressure needs to be investigated for construction on these soils.

Consolidation settlement results from the water in the soil under the foundation squeezing out of it, which causes additional compaction. Consolidation settlement can begin immediately with the pouring of the foundation, but it continues for some time after the structure is complete.

The consolidation settlement is induced due to volumetric change. Since soil particles are practically incompressible, consolidation settlements is caused by a reduction in voids due to gradual squeezing out of water.

The ultimate consolidation settlement of a structure resting on a soil decreases with the increase in the initial voids ratio. Decreases with the decrease in the plastic limit. Increases with the increase in the initial voids ratio. Increases with the decrease in the porosity of the soil.