Stiffness of fill mass Settlements, horizontal deformations and tolerances

2 Stiffness of fill mass Settlements, horizontal deformations and tolerances 

The stiffness of the fill mass is defined as its resistance to stress-induced deformation and is usually expressed in terms of a modulus of elasticity, shear modulus or 

The deformations of a fill mass are often governed by the stiffness of the subsoil. In partieular the presenee of a soft, cohesive subsoil below the fill may cause not only long term eonsolidation settlements of the fill surfaee, but also horizontal deformations near the edges of the fill mass. These deformations may adversely affect the integrity of struetures built on or in the immediate vieinity of the fill mass. 

Deformations oeeurring in a granular subsoil and/or fill mass are generally much smaller, but, nevertheless, may not be aeceptable for struetures that are very sensitive to deformations. 

A design of a reclamation area should include predictions of the expected deformations of the subsoil and fill mass in order to  

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