Theory 12/Geotechnical Engineering
Settlement Depends on Construction Speed
The claim
Differential settlement is set by the ratio of consolidation time to construction time, so the same structure on the same soil behaves differently if built faster.
01Mechanism
Pore pressures dissipate over the consolidation period; if construction outpaces it, the structure is built on soil that has not yet settled, and settlement occurs after loading.
02Predictions
- P1Settlement should track the time ratio.
- P2Loading magnitude alone should mispredict.
03Refutation
Settlement tracking load would remove the timing ratio.