Problem $2.$

An embankment for a road, with a thickness of $H_{em},$ is to be constructed over an existing soil layer with a thickness of H $.$ To accelerate the consolidation process and reduce settlement during the road's use, a preloading soil layer is added and will be removed once the consolidation process is complete $($see Figure $1).$ Calculate the settlement of the clay layer before and after the removal of the preloading soil layer. Laboratory consolidation tests were performed on a specimen collected from the middle of the clay layer, and the results are provided in Figure $2.$

Figure $1$

${}_A^{\text{'}}=,36\mathrm{.}0K\frac{N}{m^2},e_A=,1\mathrm{.}120$

${}_B^{\text{'}}=,85\mathrm{.}0K\frac{N}{m^2},e_B=,0\mathrm{.}970$

${}_C^{\text{'}}=,264\mathrm{.}0K\frac{N}{m^2},e_C=,0\mathrm{.}823$