Compressibility & Consolidation | GATE CE 2020 | Geotechnical Engg. | Gradeup

COMPRESSIBILITYAND CONSOLIDATION * The property of soil by virtue of which its volume changes under compressive stress is known as compressibility. It is expressed as decrease in volume per unit increase of pressure. * When compressive load acts on a saturated soil mass, the change in volume takes place due to explosion of water from pores and rearrangement of soil skeleton. This gradual process of compression resulting into reduction of volume is known as consolidation. * The total compression is the sum of: (i) Elastic or immediate compression (ii) Primary consolidation (iii) Secondary compression The settlement of soil which occurs immediately on application of compressive force under undrained condition is called immediate consolidation. This is calculated by assuming the soil mass to behave as an elastic material. The application of compressive load on soil mass creates hydrostatic pressure in saturated soils resulting into gradual expulsion of water through the voids. The volume ...