The aim of this work is to study the compressibility of a large dimension embankment built 18 years ago at Barra da Tijuca (Rio de Janeiro) over a layer of extremely soft soil with thickness of about 4 meters, where large post-constructive settlements were observed. The constant thickness of the embankment and the low variability of the soft soil thickness allow one dimensional condition to be assumed. Geotechnical instrumentation has been installed for monitoring settlements by optical levelling. A specific procedure has been developed which allows measurement of very small settlement changes. Monitoring took place over 21 months and showed that the embankment built 18 years ago is still settling. Field tests have been carried out comprising CPTu with dissipation, vane shear test. Characterization tests, including chemical and mineralogical, and oedometric consolidation long term tests on undisturbed Shelby tube samples have also been carried out. Based on the collected data, an attempt at forecasting future settlements has been carried out including speculations about the time needed for the stabilization of the settlements.