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

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Question: What is the primary factor affecting the consolidation of saturated clay soils?

Options:

Correct Answer: Effective stress

Solution:

Effective stress is the primary factor affecting consolidation, as it governs the behavior of pore water pressure and soil skeleton.

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

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

Step 1: Understand what consolidation means. It is the process where soil decreases in volume due to the expulsion of water from its pores.
Step 2: Recognize that saturated clay soils are soils that are fully filled with water.
Step 3: Learn about effective stress. It is the stress that contributes to the strength and stability of the soil skeleton, which is the solid part of the soil.
Step 4: Know that pore water pressure is the pressure of water within the soil pores. It affects how the soil behaves under load.
Step 5: Realize that effective stress is calculated by subtracting pore water pressure from total stress. This means that when pore water pressure changes, effective stress changes too.
Step 6: Conclude that effective stress is the primary factor affecting consolidation because it influences how much water can be expelled from the soil and how the soil will settle.

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