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Fellenius
CHAPTER 3
SETTLEMENT CALCULATION
3.1 Introduction
A foundation is a constructed unit that transfers the load from a superstructure to the ground. With regard
to vertical loads, most foundations receive a more or less concentrated load from the structure and transfer
this load to the soil underneath the foundation, distributing the load as a stress over the “footprint” of the
foundation. Part of the soil structure interaction requirement is then the condition that the stress must not
give rise to a deformation of the soil in excess of what the superstructure can tolerate.
Deformation is expressed by the terms movement, settlement, and creep. Although all three mean
deformation, they are not synonyms—they are related, but not equal. It is important not to confuse the
terms.
Creep is compression occurring without an increase of effective stress. Creep does not usually involve
expulsion of water, but is associated mainly with slow long-term compression of the soil skeleton. Creep
is usually small, but may in some soils add significantly to the total deformation of the soil. It is then
acceptable to talk in terms of settlement due to creep or "creep settlement".
The term "settlement" is normally used for the deformation resulting from the combined effect of load
transfer, increase of effective stress, and creep during long-term conditions.
The magnitude of the settlement is a function of the relative increase of effective stress: The larger the
existing effective stress before a specific additional stress is applied, the smaller the induced settlement.
April 2006