Settlement
From ASDSO Dam Safety Toolbox
Settlement, also referred to as consolidation, is a natural mechanism of soil mechanics that occurs as a result of the dissipation of excess pore pressures and long-term creep of the soil. Due to both primary and secondary consolidation, both embankments as well as foundations comprised of compressible soils can experience varying degrees of settlement. While some settlement is expected after the construction of most dams, it is important that the amount of settlement is recorded and tracked in order to help detect any underlying problems in the embankment or foundation that could result from internal erosion or other hard-to-detect problems.
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Revision ID: 2480
Revision Date: 09/08/2022