Question

Compression of soil, under short duration of moving or vibratory loads is _________

(a) saturation

(b) compressibility

(c) swelling

(d) compaction

This question was posed to me during an interview.

The question is from Consolidation Process in section One Dimensional Consolidation of Geotechnical Engineering I

Answer 1

Correct answer is (d) compaction

To explain I would say: Compression of soil, under short duration of moving or vibratory loads is known as compaction. Swelling is the increase in the water content due to an increase in the volume of voids. The compression resulting from a long term static load and consequent escape of pore water is consolidation.