Mechanical & Civil Engineering
Foundation Settlement (Immediate & Consolidation) Calculator
Estimate immediate elastic settlement and primary consolidation settlement of a shallow foundation.
Your inputs
Change any value to update the result instantly.
Total settlement
209.9 mm
Immediate settlement
10.9 mm
Consolidation settlement
199 mm
Effective stress ratio
2.5
What this calculator does
Foundation Settlement (Immediate & Consolidation) Calculator: Applies the standard civil and geotechnical relationship for this problem so the flow, pressure, settlement or capacity can be worked out from measured site inputs.
What your result means
The headline figure is the hydraulic or geotechnical quantity implied by your site inputs. Compare it against the design criteria in the applicable code before acting on it.
Formula and working
Si = qB(1−ν²)I/E; Sc = (Cc×H/(1+e0))×log10((p0+Δp)/p0)
- 1
Collect the inputs
Net bearing pressure (q) = 150 kPa; Foundation width (B) = 2 m; Soil elastic modulus (E) = 20,000 kPa; Compression index (Cc) = 0.3; Clay layer thickness (H) = 3 m; Initial void ratio (e0) = 0.8; Initial effective stress (p0) = 100 kPa
- 2
Apply the formula
Si = qB(1−ν²)I/E; Sc = (Cc×H/(1+e0))×log10((p0+Δp)/p0)
- 3
Result
Total settlement = 209.9 mm
Frequently asked questions
Symbols and assumptions
- bearingPressure
- Net bearing pressure (q) (kPa)
- foundationWidth
- Foundation width (B) (m)
- elasticModulus
- Soil elastic modulus (E) (kPa)
- compressionIndex
- Compression index (Cc)
- layerThickness
- Clay layer thickness (H) (m)
- voidRatio
- Initial void ratio (e0)
- effectiveStress
- Initial effective stress (p0) (kPa)
- • Steady-state, single-phase conditions are assumed unless the page says otherwise.
- • Site inputs (soil properties, flow, roughness) come from the user's own survey or testing.
Sources and review
Reviewed 2026-09-22 · Next review 2027-09-22
- • This is an educational estimate for learning and checking, not a design deliverable.
- • Real design must follow the governing code or standard for your jurisdiction and be reviewed and signed off by a qualified engineer.
- • Safety factors, load combinations and material certification are the responsibility of the designer, not of this page.
Important limitation
This is an educational estimate based only on the values and formula shown. Verify current rates, rules, units, and professional standards before relying on the result. It is not personalized financial or investment advice.
Report a mistake or request an improvement
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