The first step in determining the need for a ground improvement system for the consolidation of clay is to determine

the expected consolidation settlement under the applied foundation settlement For many $($most$)$ structures, a total

settlement of $0\mathrm{.}25$ m would be unacceptable.

Problem: A new project is proposed for a large structure supported on a mat foundation. The soil profile, loading

conditions, and pertinent properties are shown below. Determine the expected consolidation due to the application

of the building load, $=100$kPa.

Mat foundation loading on normally consolidated clay.

At the middle of the $4-$

meter thick clay layer

Mathematically dividing

the four$-$meter thick clay

layer into four one$-$meter

thick clay layers.

Using the weighted

average method