Consolidation in soil refers to the process by which soil decreases in volume due to the expulsion of water from its pores under the application of a sustained load. This phenomenon is crucial in geotechnical engineering as it affects the settlement of structures and the stability of soil foundations.
Sediment consolidation refers to the process by which sediments gradually decrease in volume and increase in density due to the expulsion of pore water. This process plays a critical role in the formation of sedimentary rock structures and impacts various geotechnical properties vital for construction and environmental engineering projects.