Immediate settlement

[Energy234]

A non specialist here. On one of my projects, the geotechnical engineer has predicted settlement of foundations for a substation structure and a number of transformer bases. The settlement values are split between immediate and long term (consolidation).
My question is, how relevant is immediate settlement due to permanent (dead) loading to building serviceability?
If the significant proportion of settlement occurs during the construction period, am I correct in saying it's irrelevant?

 

[EireChch]

In many ways yes, the majority of settlement that does happen during construction is gradual and if uniform has little effect.

 

[geotechguy1]

A portion of the actual settlement will occur during the construction period.

However these calculations are approximate at best and some engineers will rely on the immediate settlement as a 'factor of safety'.

 

[Ron]

"Immediate" settlement is related to two things....the first is compaction and the second is elastic compression. Compaction can be controlled. Make sure it is properly compacted. Elastic compression is material dependent, usually sands.

 

[soilnwavesco]

How relevant? compare the long-term vs immediate settlement. But more important than that is which type of soil do you have in your site?