Certain loading produces certain final settlement. the dissipation of excess pore pressure is only related to time and soil properties under this certain loading, based on Terzaghi's 1-d consolidation assumptions. it is the dissipation of excess pore pressure that causes the consolidation effects of soil, as also is the origin of 1-d consolidation deduction. S|;a=K&hS
this relationship between pore pressure and time factor comes from the fluid continuity under darcy's law. you may review Terzaghi's theory again to capture the full scenario.
