Which factors influence soil settlement and embankment problems the most?

• A. Soil type and moisture content
• B. Soil compaction and particle arrangement
• C. Soil texture and specific gravity
• D. Soil cohesion and pore water pressure

Answer: (A)

Soil settlement and embankment problems are primarily influenced by soil type and moisture content. The specific type of soil plays a crucial role in how it behaves under load; for instance, clay soils exhibit different settlement characteristics compared to sandy soils. Clay tends to swell with moisture and shrink as it dries, which can lead to significant settlement issues. Conversely, sandy soils are generally more stable but can still experience shifts under certain moisture conditions.

Moisture content is equally significant because it affects the soil's effective stress and compressibility. As water fills the void spaces in soil, it alters the soil's load-bearing capacity and can lead to increased settlement over time. In saturated conditions, cohesive soils may experience a reduction in strength and an increase in compressibility, leading to greater risks of settlement.

Other factors such as soil compaction and particle arrangement, soil texture, specific gravity, soil cohesion, and pore water pressure do play roles in soil behavior. However, they are more secondary concerns that relate to how soil type and moisture conditions impact overall performance in embankment construction and stability. Understanding these primary influences allows engineers to anticipate and mitigate settlement issues more effectively during design and construction.