Which term describes the process of soil settling after compaction?

The term that describes the process of soil settling after compaction is consolidation. This process involves the gradual reduction of soil volume as pore water is expelled from the soil due to the application of load or pressure. During compaction, the soil particles are rearranged and densified, but it is with consolidation that the soil adjusts to the applied pressure over time, leading to further volume reduction and stability.

Understanding consolidation is vital in excavation and grading processes, as it directly affects the performance and stability of the foundations and structures built upon compacted soil. While other concepts like settlement may refer to a similar phenomenon, consolidation specifically emphasizes the aspect of pore water dissipation and the resulting changes in soil structure following initial compaction. Compaction itself refers solely to the process of mechanically densifying the soil without necessarily indicating the ongoing adjustments that happen afterward.