Answer :
Soil Consolidation refers to the process in which the volume of a saturated soil decreases due to an applied stress.
The term was introduced by Karl von Terzaghialso
Why thin samples are used?
1. If thickness of clay layer is high , consolidation would be more due trough self overburden pressure.
2. Thick coarse grain soil has high hydraulic conductivity and hence undergo immediate settlement not giving proper results.
3. Thin samples are easy to study in terms of compressibility, permeability and length of drainage path.
4. In fine grain the primary consolidation occurs over a long time
5. Compression of thin soil is much faster as compared to coarse grained one.
Hence , these factors explains the use of thin soil in consolidation test.
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