Determining Subsidence
Determining Subsidence
(OP)
If I'm digging a shallow trench for some minor construction, and then refill it with the excavated soil, how can I determine the rate at which that soil will settle?
The trench will only be a few feet deep and well above the water table. In addition, there will be no load placed on top of the fill, so I don't think the equations for 1 dimensional soil consolidation apply.
The trench will only be a few feet deep and well above the water table. In addition, there will be no load placed on top of the fill, so I don't think the equations for 1 dimensional soil consolidation apply.





RE: Determining Subsidence
"Rules of thumb" are more useful in your circumstance: properly compacted clay fill will shrink ("settle") about 2 to 4 percent of it's thickness, while sands will shrink about 1 to 2 percent. Crushed rock will settle about 1/2 to 1 percent. Again - these are rules of thumb, and should be used with caution. Deeper fills require more testing and analysis, particularly if settlement is a major concern.
Why are you worried about settlement?
Please see FAQ731-376 by VPL for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.