Difference between compaction and consolidation – Compaction and consolidation are two techniques that are used for soil improvement in geotechnical engineering. In both techniques, external forces are applied to the soil to improve its properties of the soil but the objectives and processes totally different. Many of us get confused by both terms so today we will discuss in detail the Difference between compaction and consolidation their application and methods. So let’s begin our discussion.
Table of Contents
Comparison chart of Difference between compaction and consolidation
| Parameters | Compaction | Consolidation |
| Main objective | Compaction increases the stability and load-bearing capacity of the applied soil. | Consolidation helps to improve the stability and settlement properties |
| Process | Compaction is done with the help of mechanical forces or with heavy machinery | Consolidation is a natural or man-accelerated process |
| Types | compaction is static and vibratory | Consolidation is primary secondary and creep. |
| Effects on soil properties | consolidation reduces the compressibility and permeability of the soil | Compaction increases the density and Shear strength of the soil. |
| Time frame | compaction is a very quick process | Consolidation is a continuous and time-consuming process. |
| Factors affecting | The compaction process is affected by the soil-type compaction efforts and moisture content. | Consolidation is affected by the thickness of soil, type of soil, and rate of loading. |
| Equipment used | For compaction rollers, vibratory plates, and compactors | For compaction load platforms, vacuum pumps, preloading, and surcharge |
| Applications | Compaction mostly used for roads, embankments, and landfills | Consolidation used for building, infrastructure foundation, mitigation of liquefication and reclamation of land |
What do you mean by compaction?
Compaction is a technique by which soil improvement is done. In this technique, air voids are removed which leads to reducing the volume of the soil. Simply means space between soil particles is reduced by the application of the external forces. With the compaction density and the shear strength of the soil is increased. Compaction is usually done with heavy mechanical machines like rolling vibration and tamping. These machines exert pressure on the soil which rearranges the particles of the soil.
Why compaction is necessary
The aim of the compaction is to make a stable and leveled soil structure or base which will able to bear the load of the structure without any deformation or settlement. Compaction also makes the soil less permeable which reduce the erosion of the soil and this soil became the best foundation for construction application like roads, retaining walls, and buildings.
Methods of compaction
- Static compaction: in this method static force is applied to the soil with the help of rollers and compactors.
- Vibratory compaction: in this method, a higher density of the soil is achieved by applying dynamic forces on the soil with a vibratory plate.
- Impact compaction: in this method, dripping weight or rammers are used to compact the soil.
- Kneading compaction: in this method, a sheep foot roller and tamper are used to knead the soil to increase the density of the soil.
Application and examples of compaction
- Road work: mostly compaction is used in road construction. Everyone is familiar with the road construction. When the rollers are moved forward and backward at that time compaction is ongoing. Road compaction is a perfect example of compaction which is mostly seen by the people.
- Landfill construction: compaction is also used to make a stable and compacted base for waste disposal.
- Foundation construction – When we make a building first we make its foundation. Compaction is also used there to prevent settlement.
- Sports grounds: Compaction is also done while a new sports playground is made.
What do you mean by consolidation?
Consolidation is a natural process in which soil is compressed by the weight of the overlaying soil structure etc. With this compaction, water is squeezed out from the voids which results in the compression and settlement of the soil. This is a long-term process that takes many years and decades. In simple words when we dig a whole starting soil is very easy to extract but as we go deeper we find more dense and compacted soil. This soil is known as consolidated soil. Simply soil consolidation is done by the continuous pressure of the overlaying layers of the soil.
These days consolidation is also accelerated by applying a heavy load on the soil surface for a time period. This weight compresses the soil which reduces the voids between the soil particles. In Consolidation, heavy weights are used which leads to better and deep compaction of the soil. This method is commonly used for heavy structures like high-rise buildings, bridges, dams, and structs that require stable and pre-settled soil.
Why consolidation is necessary
Currently, heavy structures are constructed everywhere. Heavy structures need completely pre-settled soil up to deeper depths. If the soil settles after the construction it affects the structure. So for heavy structures consolidation is necessary because compaction compacts only the upper layers of the soil.
Methods of the consolidation
Consolidation is a natural process but these days some methods are available which accelerate the consolidation process.
- Preloading: In this heavy loads are placed on the soil surface which helps to increase the process of consolidation.
- Surcharging: In this method, extra soil is placed on the top layer of the soil. This extra soil also acts as an extra load on the soil which increases the consolidation process.
- Vacuum consolidation: This is a totally modern technique in which with the help of vacuum pumps air and water are removed. This process leads to compressing the particles of the soil. This technique is best for silt and clay.
- Electro-osmosis consolidation: in this method, current passed through the soil which removes the water from the soil.
- Chemical consolidation: in this method, chemicals are injected into the soil to improve its strength and reduce its compressibility.
Important Difference between compaction and consolidation
Here are some main Differences between compaction and consolidation
- Main objective: Compaction increases the stability and load-bearing capacity of the applied soil. Consolidation helps to improve the stability and settlement properties.
- Process: Compaction is done with the help of mechanical forces or with heavy machinery. Consolidation is a natural or man-accelerated process.
- Types: compaction is static and vibratory. Consolidation is primary secondary and creep.
- Effects on soil properties: consolidation reduces the compressibility and permeability of the soil. Compaction increases the density and Shear strength of the soil.
- Time frame: compaction is a very quick process. Consolidation is a continuous and time-consuming process.
- Factors affecting: The compaction process is affected by the soil type compaction efforts and moisture content. Consolidation is affected by the thickness of the soil, the type of the soil, and the rate of loading.
- Equipment used: For compaction rollers, vibratory plates, and compactors. For compaction load platforms, vacuum pumps, preloading, and surcharge.
- Applications: Compaction is mostly used for roads, embankments, and landfills. Consolidation is used for building, infrastructure foundation, mitigation of liquefication, and reclamation of land.
Conclusion
So with the difference between compaction and consolidation, we found that both are techniques to improve the stability and settlement properties of the soil. In compaction, the volume of soil is reduced with the help of mechanical forces while in the case of consolidation volume of soil is reduced by the squeezing of water from the soil by the application of natural and extra loads on the surface of the soil.
This is all about the difference between compaction and consolidation. We hope you understand the concept of compaction and consolidation very well. For more differences like this visit our website differenceebetween. There you will find many other differences in different categories.