Abstract: A method of estimating the undrained settlements of saturated clay foundations is suggested on the basis of hyperbolic stress-strain relationship in this paper. It is a development based on earlier studying results achieved in this field.The application of normalized stress-strain realationship to the estimation of undrained settlements of foundation has been initially attempted, and which is proved appropriate. The rules governing the distribution of such settlements are analysed accordingly. Finally, a preliminary check and verification are made experimentally by a in-situ loading test.