What is Consolidation?
Consolidation can be defined as the compression resulting from a long-term static load and the consequent escape of pore water from the saturated soil mass.
According to Terzaghi, every process involving a decrease in the water content of a saturated soil mass due to the replacement of water by air is called a consolidation process.
Factors
Consolidation occurs due to one or more of the following factors:
a) Due to external static loads from structures.
b) Due to the self-weight of the soil such as recently placed fills.
c) Due to the lowering of the groundwater table.
d) Due to desiccation.
Read More:
Consolidation Settlement Analysis of Soil