Which are the Stages in Consolidation of Soil in Geotechnical Engineering

What is Consolidation of soil-Soil stabilization

You know that the soil stabilization can be done in two methods, the first method you can use by the expulsion of air from the voids of the soil by compaction and the second method is by the expulsion of water from the voids of soil.I going to say about the expulsion of water from the voids.That is by the consolidation of soil

The consolidation of soil is due to the expulsion of water from the voids under a steady static pressure is known as soil consolidation.The rate of consolidation varies with the type of soils.

The rate of expulsion of water from the voids is higher when permeability is higher.The rate of permeability changes with the change of different structures of soil.

In consolidation settlement, the compression is taken by the expulsion of water from the voids of soil.The soil stabilization by compaction is taken by the expulsion of air from the voids of soil.The compaction of soil can be done by dynamic loading methods such as rolling, tamping and vibrator.

Stages in the consolidation of soil

1.Initial consolidation

The reduction of the volume of a partially saturated soil due to the compression and expulsion of air in void just after the application of load is known as initial consolidation or initial compression

In saturated soil, the initial consolidation is mainly happened by compression of solid particles.

2.Primary Consolidation

After initial consolidation, the second stage is primary consolidation.In primary consolidation or primary compression, the reduction of the volume of soil due to the expulsion of water from the voids.

For fine-grained soils, the primary consolidation occurs over a long time whereas, for coarse-grained soil, the primary consolidation occurs quickly, because the permeability of coarse aggregates is higher than the fine aggregates.

3.Secondary Consolidation

The reduction in volume continues at a very slow rate even after primary consolidation due to the expulsion of adsorbed water and plastic readjustment of solid particles and this stage is called as secondary consolidation.

The secondary consolidation is also known as secondary compression or creep.This the last soil stabilization stage of consolidation of soil.

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