| Sr.No. | Compaction | Consolidation |
| 1 | Compaction is a quick process. | Consolidation is a slow process. |
| 2 | Compaction is the compression of soil by the expulsion of air from the voids of the soil. | Consolidation is the compression of soil by the expulsion of water from the voids of the soil. |
| 3 | It is a process where mechanical pressure is used to compress the soil mass for the purpose of soil improvement. | It is a process where steady and static pressure causes compression of saturated soil. |
| 4 | Dynamic loads by rapid mechanical methods like vibration, damping, and rolling are applied for a small interval in soil compaction. | Static and sustained loading is applied for a long interval in soil consolidation. |
| 5 | The compaction process can be completed immediately. | Consolidation is a slow and steady process that takes time. |
| 6 | Compaction is an instantaneous process of reduction of volume of voids. | Consolidation is a time-dependent process of reduction of volume. |
| 7 | Compaction is an artificial process. | Consolidation is a natural process. |
| 8 | Compaction can be done before the construction. | It can not be done before the construction. There are some methods by which consolidation can be done before construction but 100% consolidation cannot be achieved. |
| 9 | Compaction is done to attain maximum dry density at optimum moisture content. | loading period is long. It may take many years for 100% consolidation. |
| 10 | All kind of soil whether it is cohesive or noncohesive can be compacted. | Consolidation occurs naturally due to the structural load from the foundation. |
| 11 | Compaction of soil is mainly used for sandy soil. | The consolidation of soil is mainly used for clayey soil. |
| 12 | Compaction is intentionally done to produce a high unit weight of soil and consequently improve other soil properties. | Consolidation is a natural process where soil below the building and other structures compacted by the transferred load to the soil through the provided foundation system. |
| 13 | The foundation settlement will be reduced. | Consolidation is the responsibility of the foundation settlement. |
| 14 | The soil should be at OMC (Optimum Moisture Content ) | The soil is saturated to settle down the particles. |
| 15 | The bearing capacity of soil will increase. | Also, increase the bearing capacity of soil |
| 16 | The compaction Loading period is short. | Consolidation applies only for cohesive soils, especially for low permeable clay. |
| 17 | Compaction is a stage process. | Consolidation is a two-stage process that is Primary consolidation and Secondary consolidation. |
| 18 | Compaction is the primary process. | Consolidation starts after compaction. |
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