What typically happens to soil settlement over time?

Soil settlement refers to the gradual sinking or settling of the ground surface due to the compaction or rearrangement of soil particles, typically as a response to the loads placed upon it. The correct assertion is that only minor settlement can occur immediately or over time. This highlights the nature of soil behavior under load, where initial settlement can take place almost right away due to the immediate rearrangement of particles, but additional settlement may also occur gradually as the soil adjusts to long-term loading conditions.

In many cases, while immediate settlement can be noticeable, ongoing settlement may be linked to factors like the consolidation of clay soils over time or changes in moisture content, which can lead to further adjustments. This means that even after initial construction, there may be some additional, but often minor, settlement that continues for an extended period.

This contrasts with the other options, which do not accurately reflect the complexity of soil behavior. Immediate settlement for all soils is not guaranteed; some soils may behave more stably. While stable soils may experience less settlement over time, it is not accurate to completely rule out the possibility of minor settling. Lastly, not all settlement is confined to organic soils; many soil types can experience settlement due to various factors, including load changes or moisture fluctuations.