The paper presents an analysis of the one-dimensional consolidation of unsaturated soils due to external loading or increasing in matric suction. To this purpose, a simple equation recently derived by Ausilio & Conte (1999, Canadian Geotechnical Journal 36: 940-946) is used. This equation relates the settlement rate for an unsaturated soil to the average degree of consolidation for both the water and air phases. The results of some tests conducted by Rahardjo & Fredlund (1995, Canadian GeotechnicalJournal 32: 749-766) on a silty sand are considered and remarks are made on the use of Terzaghi's classical theory to predict the settlement rate of foundations on unsaturated soils.
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