What is the primary factor affecting the consolidation rate of saturated clay?

What is the primary factor affecting the consolidation rate of saturated clay?

Step 1: Understand what consolidation means. It is the process where saturated clay compresses and reduces in volume due to the expulsion of water.
Step 2: Recognize that saturated clay is clay that is fully soaked with water.
Step 3: Identify the role of permeability. Permeability is how easily water can flow through the clay.
Step 4: Realize that if the clay has high permeability, water can escape quickly, leading to faster consolidation.
Step 5: Conversely, if the clay has low permeability, water escapes slowly, resulting in slower consolidation.
Step 6: Conclude that the primary factor affecting the consolidation rate of saturated clay is its permeability.

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