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What are the differences of the consolidation of peat as compared to clay? How does the consolidation of peat affect the construction over them?
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The differences between the two are many; however, I will give you the two major differences with respect to consolidation...
In clay, the consolidation results from a change in the physical orientation of the soil/water/air system...as water and air are squeezed out (the speed depends on the permeability of the clay and somewhat on the load)the clay particles move closer together (reduction in void ratio), thus creating a volumetric change, most prominent in the loaded direction.
In peat, there is another component that is not present in the clay...that being the organic component. Not only do you get the void ratio reduction under load, but you can get significant compression of the organic fibers (their modulus of elasticity is much lower than for soil particles) and you get degradation of the organic material with time that results in volume reduction as well.
As a result of the differences, the clay will eventually reach a practical equilibrium or nearly so under load, while the peat could continue significant compression for many, many years.
Those are the basics.
In clay, the consolidation results from a change in the physical orientation of the soil/water/air system...as water and air are squeezed out (the speed depends on the permeability of the clay and somewhat on the load)the clay particles move closer together (reduction in void ratio), thus creating a volumetric change, most prominent in the loaded direction.
In peat, there is another component that is not present in the clay...that being the organic component. Not only do you get the void ratio reduction under load, but you can get significant compression of the organic fibers (their modulus of elasticity is much lower than for soil particles) and you get degradation of the organic material with time that results in volume reduction as well.
As a result of the differences, the clay will eventually reach a practical equilibrium or nearly so under load, while the peat could continue significant compression for many, many years.
Those are the basics.
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