What are the different types of foundation settlement?

Settlement types: (1) Immediate (elastic) settlement - occurs instantly upon loading, calculated using elastic theory, significant in granular soils, (2) Consolidation settlement - time-dependent compression of saturated clay as pore water expels, (3) Secondary compression (creep) - continues after primary consolidation at decreasing rate. Total settlement = immediate + consolidation + secondary. Differential settlement between foundations is often more critical than total settlement, causing structural distress. Limits depend on structure type and use.