ABSTRACT
The displacements that develop at any given boundary of the soil mass can be determined on a rational basis by summing up the displacements of small elements of the mass resulting from the strains produced by a change in the stress system. The compression of the soil mass due to the imposed stresses may be almost immediate or time dependent according to the permeability characteristics of the soil. Cohesionless soils which are highly permeable are compressed in a relatively short period of time as compared to cohesive soils which are less permeable. The compressibility characteristics of a soil mass might be due to any or a combination of the following factors:
1. Compression of the solid matter. 2. Compression of water and air within the voids. 3. Escape of water and air from the voids.
