ABSTRACT
SETTLEMENT Clay is consolidated by imposed structural load. All clays cause some degree of settlement. Water is squeezed out by applied stress. Subsidence of ground, and settlement of structures, depend on initial water content of clay and stress applied; laboratory assessment is by consolidation test. Remedy is to avoid loading the clay, or to wait for settlement to stop (or reduce to acceptable rate). Modest settlement beneath buildings may fracture brittle drains; subsequent leakage may remove mineral soil in piping failure; this also causes subsidence but involves a different process (see opposite).
