What is the primary cause of settlement in saturated clay soils?
Practice Questions
Q1
What is the primary cause of settlement in saturated clay soils?
Consolidation due to applied loads
Soil erosion
Soil compaction
Frost heave
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
What is the primary cause of settlement in saturated clay soils?
Step 1: Understand that saturated clay soils are soils that are fully filled with water in their pores.
Step 2: Recognize that when a load (like a building) is placed on saturated clay, it pushes down on the soil.
Step 3: Know that the water in the soil cannot escape immediately when the load is applied.
Step 4: Realize that over time, the water will slowly be pushed out of the soil pores due to the pressure from the load.
Step 5: Understand that as the water leaves, the soil particles get closer together, causing the soil to shrink or settle.
Step 6: Conclude that this process of water being expelled and the soil volume reducing is called consolidation, which is the primary cause of settlement in saturated clay soils.
