This document provides an overview of consolidation in clays. It defines consolidation as the process where saturated clay is loaded externally and water is slowly squeezed out over a long period of time due to the low permeability of clay. This leads to long-term settlements occurring over several years. The document discusses concepts such as one-dimensional consolidation, coefficient of volume compressibility, consolidation testing, preconsolidation pressure, overconsolidation ratio, and using consolidation test data and plots to estimate settlement. It also briefly describes methods to accelerate consolidation using preloading and prefabricated vertical drains.