Correct option is B
The following table shows the consolidation of soil deposit in three stages
| Stage |
Characteristics |
| Initial Consolidation |
• When a load is applied to partially saturated soil, there is a decrease in the volume of soil due to expulsion and compression of the air voids. • Also, a small decrease in the volume of soil occurs due to compression of solid particles.. • The reduction in the volume of soil just after the application of load is called initial consolidation. • For saturated soils, the initial consolidation is mainly due to the compression of solid particles. |
| Primary Consolidation |
• Reduction of the volume is due to the expulsion of water from voids • The decrease in volume in this stage depends on the permeability of the soil, hence it is a time-dependent process. • In fine-grained soil primary consolidation occurs for a long time. But in coarse-grained soil it occurs quickly due to high permeability |
| Secondary Consolidation |
• The reduction in volume continues at a very slow rate even after the primary consolidation is completed, this additional reduction in the volume of soil is called secondary consolidation. |
