Preloading (surcharge) is a ground improvement technique used primarily to:
Choose the correct answer
Increase bearing capacity of granular soils
Accelerate consolidation settlement of soft clay before construction
Reduce groundwater table
Improve drainage in gravel deposits
Correct Answer
B. Accelerate consolidation settlement of soft clay before construction
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Preloading subjects the soft clay to the design stress (plus surcharge) before the actual structure is built. This pre-consolidates the clay, reducing future settlements under the actual structure. Often combined with sand drains/PVDs for faster consolidation.
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