The amount of time it takes for the settlement to occur is describes as
the “time rate of settlement”. It is different for coarse-grained and
fine-grained soils.
• Free draining: coarse sand and gravel with fines < 0%
 generally have good drainage qualities (high hydraulic
conductivity) so any excess porewater pressure developed by
loading can easily dissipate relatively (relative to fine-grained soils)
quickly.
most of the settlement of these soils occurs during construction
(short term loading condition)