ABSTRACT
When a soil is subjected to an increase in compressive stress due to foundation load the resulting soil compression (generally called settlement) generally consists of elastic compression (immediate settlement), primary compression (consolidation settlement) and secondary compression. Compared withmineral soils, peat soils are highly organic and highly compressible. Their compression or settlement process may take a considerably longer amount of time. Peat generally possesses low undrained strength and high compressibility. Buildings on peat are usually supported on piles, but the ground around them may still settle, creating a scenario as depicted in Figure 5.1.
