The 'consolidation settlement' of a clay layer can be separated into:
Choose the correct answer
Only one type of settlement exists
Immediate (elastic), primary consolidation (pore pressure dissipation), and secondary (creep) settlements
Only immediate and secondary
Consolidation and shear failure settlements
Correct Answer
B. Immediate (elastic), primary consolidation (pore pressure dissipation), and secondary (creep) settlements
Why is this the answer?
Total consolidation settlement = Immediate (elastic) settlement (Si) + Primary consolidation settlement (Sc) + Secondary consolidation settlement (Ss). Si: elastic compression of clay (undrained, instant). Sc: time-dependent primary (pore pressure dissipation). Ss: creep of soil skeleton (constant effective stress, beyond 100% consolidation). For soft clays: Sc >> Si >> Ss. For overconsolidated stiff clays: Si dominates.
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