1. CONSOLIDATION

Try these first

1. 1.

   Define immediate settlement.

   Hint

   Focus on what happens at the moment the load is applied.

2. 2.

   What is primary consolidation?

   Hint

   Consider the role of water in soil deformation.

3. 3.

   What is the main cause of immediate settlement?

   • Water movement
   • Soil particle rearrangement
   • Load application

   Hint

   Think about what happens instantaneously.

4. 4.

   Is secondary consolidation faster than primary consolidation?

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Consider the definitions of both terms.

5. 5.

   A soil layer has an initial height of 5 meters and experiences a primary consolidation of 2 meters when loaded. What is the percentage reduction in height?

   Hint

   Use the formula for percentage reduction.

6. 6.

   Given a soil's permeability of 1 x 10^-6 m/s and a drainage length of 10 meters, how long would it take for primary consolidation to achieve 90% completion if the initial excess pore pressure is 200 kPa?

   Hint

   Look into the method for computing consolidation time based on pore pressure dissipation.