Estimation of total settlement of embankments by field measurements

In the absence of compressibility data from laboratory tests, the total primary consolidation settlement of a structure founded on clay can be estimated from settlement measurements taken over a period of time. In this note, the hyperbolic and Asaoka methods are applied to a case history where an embankment fill was placed on a clay exhibiting secondary compression. It is shown that significant inaccuracies in time–settlement predictions can result if an appropriate time factor versus degree of consolidation relationship is not taken into account. Key words: primary and secondary compressibility, coefficient of consolidation, field measurements, hyperbolic method, Asaoka method.