1.3. Elastic Settlement or Immediate Settlement

Try these first

1. 1.

   What is elastic settlement?

   Hint

   Consider the immediate effect of a load on soil.

2. 2.

   Name the components of total settlement.

   Hint

   Recall the formula St = Si + Sc + Ssc.

3. 3.

   What happens during elastic settlement?

   • Water is expelled
   • Soil distorts at constant volume
   • Secondary consolidation begins

   Hint

   Think about what happens immediately after a load is applied.

4. 4.

   True or False: Elastic settlement differs from primary and secondary settlements in that it occurs independently of time.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Consider how quickly each type of settlement occurs.

5. 5.

   A new building is constructed on a soil type determined to have a high compressibility. Describe how elastic settlement will influence its design and potential risks associated.

   Hint

   Think about how compressible soils interact with structures.

6. 6.

   Illustrate a case where delaying load application on saturated clay soil minimizes elastic settlement. What would structural engineers need to consider?

   Hint

   Focus on the interaction between water and soil structure.