Which factor would lower the amount of elastic settlement?

To understand the factors influencing elastic settlement, it's crucial to consider how each choice affects the soil's behavior under load.

Elastic settlement occurs when soil is subjected to a load, leading to a temporary deformation that is recoverable once the load is removed. One significant aspect of this is Poisson's ratio, which is a measure of the ratio of transverse strain to axial strain. A higher Poisson's ratio indicates that the soil will deform more laterally in response to a vertical load, which can lessen the vertical deformation experienced by the soil.

When Poisson's ratio increases, it implies that the material can effectively distribute and balance the applied stress more uniformly within its structure. Consequently, this more efficient distribution results in a reduced vertical settlement. Therefore, a higher Poisson's ratio would indeed lower the amount of elastic settlement.

In contrast, increased net applied pressure and higher effective width would typically raise the soil stress, leading to greater deformation and elastic settlement. A lower Young's modulus suggests a more compliant material that would also increase elastic settlement, as it indicates that the material can deform more easily under load.

Thus, the influencing factor that lowers elastic settlement aligns with the understanding of soil behavior under stress, specifically the role of Poisson's ratio in reducing