What is the process of volume reduction in soil due to applied load over time?

The process of volume reduction in soil due to applied load over time is referred to as consolidation. This process occurs primarily in saturated soils and involves the expulsion of water from the soil's voids when a load is applied. As the load increases, pore water pressure initially rises, but over time, the water is drained away from the soil pores through permeable pathways, allowing the soil particles to get closer together. This results in a decrease in the volume of the soil mass, which is a key aspect of the consolidation process.

Consolidation is essential in geotechnical engineering, as it affects the stability and safety of structures built on or in the ground. Understanding this phenomenon helps engineers predict how much a structure will settle over time as loads are applied. Factors influencing consolidation include soil type, initial water content, drainage conditions, and the magnitude of the applied load.

Other terms, such as compression and settlement, can refer to concepts related to volume changes and ground behavior under load but are not as specific as consolidation, which directly describes the time-dependent process of volume reduction caused by drainage of pore water. Deformation, while related to changes in shape and volume, does not specifically emphasize the role of pore drainage over time as consolidation does.