A large research work comprising extensive field and laboratory investigations on a soft clay deposit located in the Industrial Zone of Santa Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, is being developed at PUC-Rio since 2005. Occurrences of settlement of structures built in this region have been reported since the end of the decade of 1970. This work presents results of laboratory studies aiming at the characterization of the soft clay deposit and the determination of compressibility and consolidation parameters of the clay. The experimental program developed comprised physical-chemical- mineralogical characterization of samples from the soil profile and the execution of oedometric consolidation tests and hydrostatic and anisotropic triaxial tests. The experiments in oedometric cells comprised conventional tests and tests with measurement of permeability and determination of secondary compression. Aspects of quality of the samples are highlighted. The obtained results propitiated an estimation of the K0 of the normally consolidated material, an understanding of the present stage of consolidation of the deposit and a preliminary assessment of settlements that may still occur in the site under the present loading conditions.