Interpretation of piezocone penetration and dissipation tests in sensitive Leda clay at Gloucester test site

2018 ◽  
Vol 55 (12) ◽  
pp. 1781-1794 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shehab S. Agaiby ◽  
Paul W. Mayne

A modified piezocone penetration test (CPTu) analytical solution based on spherical cavity expansion and critical state soil mechanics (SCE–CSSM) is employed for assessing yield stress, undrained shear strength, and flow parameters in sensitive Leda clay at the Gloucester test site. For sensitive and structured clays, the formulation relies on the mobilized effective stress friction angle ([Formula: see text]) defined at two parts of the stress–strain curve: (i) peak stress ([Formula: see text]) and (ii) maximum obliquity ([Formula: see text]). Input parameters for assessing the overconsolidation ratio ([Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is preconsolidation stress and [Formula: see text] is current effective vertical stress) from CPTu results include: undrained rigidity index (IR = G/su, where G is shear modulus and su is undrained shear strength), plastic volumetric strain potential (Λ = 1 – (Cs/Cc), where Cs is swelling index and Cc is virgin compression index), and effective friction angles ([Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]). A direct CPTu means of assessing the undrained rigidity index in a reliable manner is also developed that gives the Nkt cone factor and matches profiles of undrained shear strength from triaxial compression tests (suTC). The modified solution is also implemented on two additional sites: a sensitive-quick clay in Norway and structured varved clay from New England. Interpretations of the coefficient of consolidation and permeability from pore-water pressure dissipation tests at Gloucester are evaluated using the SCE–CSSM formulation and shown to be comparable with independent laboratory and field tests.

Author(s):  
Chee K. Wong ◽  
Martin Lun ◽  
Ron C.K. Wong

This paper presents an interpretation technique to quantify the effects of compaction state and matric suction on the undrained shear strength of compacted clay under confined undrained triaxial compression. This novel technique is based on the mathematical frameworks of SHANSEP (Stress History and Normalized Soil Engineering Property) method for saturated soil and BBM (Barcelona Basic model) for unsaturated soil. Test data of compacted Calgary till were analyzed and interpreted using the proposed technique. The interpretation technique is very useful in delineating the relative impacts of the factors on the behavioral trends in measured undrained shear strength. It was found that in addition to the initial compacted void ratio and suction, soil structure and failure mode exert significant influence on the undrained shear strength of compacted clay. This technique is attractive to engineering practitioners because the confined undrained compression tests (with no pore air and water pressure measurement) are much simpler and less time consuming compared to rigorous laboratory tests on unsaturated soil.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Jianwen Ding ◽  
Xusong Feng ◽  
Yupeng Cao ◽  
Sen Qian ◽  
Feng Ji

Consolidated undrained triaxial compression tests were performed to investigate the shear strength behavior of the solidified dredged materials (SDM). The variation law of deviator stress and excess pore water pressure with the increase of the applied confining pressure was investigated. It is found that the shear strength envelope is consisted of two lines, and there exists a transitional stress on the intersection point. The undrained shear strength develops slightly with the increase of applied normal stress in the preyield state. However, the undrained shear strength increases significantly in the postyield state, and the strength envelope is nearly a straight line with the extension through the origin. Based on the triaxial test data and the binary medium model, a strength criterion considering strength evolution mechanism is proposed and the relevant parameters of the strength criterion were discussed. Comparisons of the predicted results and experimental data demonstrate that the proposed strength criterion can properly describe the strength evolution rules of the SDM.


2022 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 241-252
Author(s):  
Sugeng Krisnanto

Abstract Two theoretical equations are developed to calculate the ratio of undrained shear strength to the vertical effective stress (the ratio of (su/sv’)) for normally consolidated saturated cohesive soils. The effective stress approach is used as the basis in the development of the theoretical equations. The theoretical equations are developed by relating the total and the effective stress paths. The development of the excess pore-water pressure is quantified using Skempton A and B pore-water pressure parameters. The theoretical equations are developed for two initial stress conditions: (i) an initially hydrostatic condition and (ii) an initially Ko (non-hydrostatic) condition. The performance of the theoretical equations of this study is compared with field and laboratory measurement data obtained from the literature. The close results between the theoretical equations and the measurements show that the theoretical equations of this study can compute the ratio of (su/sv’) well. Using the theoretical equations, the values of the ratio of (su/sv’) commonly used in engineering practice can be explained from the soil mechanics framework. Keywords: Saturated cohesive soils, c/p ratio, normally consolidated soil, undrained shear strength, effective shear strength, theoretical equation. Abstrak Dua persamaan teoritis dikembangkan untuk menghitung rasio kuat geser tak teralirkan dengan tegangan efektif vertikal (rasio (su/sv’)) untuk tanah kohesif jenuh terkonsolidasi normal. Pendekatan tegangan efektif dijadikan dasar dalam pengembangan kedua persamaan teoretis ini. Persamaan teoretis tersebut dikembangkan menghubungkan lintasan tegangan total dan lintasan tegangan efektif. Kenaikan tekanan air pori ekses dikuantifikasi menggunakan parameter tekanan air pori A dan B dari Skempton. Persamaan teoretis dikembangkan untuk dua kondisi tegangan awal: (i) tegangan awal hidrostatik dan (ii) teganan awal Ko (non hidrostatik). Kinerja kedua persamaan teoretis tersebut dibandingkan terhadap data pengukuran lapangan dan pengujian laboratorium yang diperoleh dari literatur. Persamaan teoretis dari studi ini memiliki kinerja yang baik dalam memperhitungan rasio (su/sv’) yang ditunjukkan dengan dekatnya hasil perhitungan menggunakan persamaan teoretis dan hasil pengukuran lapangan maupun pengujan laboratorium. Dengan persamaan teoretis tersebut, nilai rasio (su/sv’) yang biasa digunakan dalam rekayasa praktis bisa dijelaskan secara mekanika tanah. Kata-kata Kunci: Tanah kohesif jenuh, rasio c/p, tanah terkonsolidasi normal, kuat geser tak teralirkan, kuat geser efektif, persamaan teoretis.  


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-132
Author(s):  
Babak Jamhiri ◽  
Mohammad Siroos Pakbaz

AbstractThis research investigates the mechanical behavior of artificially cemented sandy soils formed by lime alkali activation of natural zeolite under saturation settings. In order to verify the bar capability of cemented sands with this new method, an analysis of the undrained shear strength of the soil with pore water pressure ratio measurements was performed from the interpretation of the results of unconfined compression tests. The effect of zeolite-lime blend on treated sands was also visualized by scanning electron microscopy. For the studied soils, it was concluded from the unconfined compression stress values that the soil is fully capable of withstanding compressions due to overburden pressure. Additionally, this study seeks to evaluate the effect of the void ratio on the pore space and undrained shear strength. The results showed that pore water B-ratio increases with the decrease of the void ratio. Moreover, with the increase of zeolite content, confining pressure, and curing age, the peak failure strength increases. The results indicated a promising consistency of treated samples with lime and zeolite under various values of undrained shearing and B-ratios, making this method an ideal treatment for loose sand deposits.


2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 33-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pijush Samui ◽  
Pradeep Kurup

This study adopts Multivariate Adaptive Regression Spline (MARS) and Least Square Support Vector Machine (LSSVM) for prediction of undrained shear strength (su) of clay, based Cone Penetration Test (CPT) data. Corrected cone resistance (qt), vertical total stress (sv), hydrostatic pore pressure (u0), pore water pressure at the cone tip (u1), and pore water pressure just above the cone base (u2) are used as input parameters for building the MARS and LSSVM models. The developed MARS and LSSVM models give simple equations for prediction of su. A comparative study between MARS and LSSSM is presented. The results confirm that the developed MARS and LSSVM models are robust for prediction of su.


2020 ◽  
Vol 57 (8) ◽  
pp. 1247-1255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mair E.W. Beesley ◽  
Paul J. Vardanega

During construction, the mobilization of undrained shear strength must be limited to avoid soil failure. Soil strains must be controlled to avoid compromising structural serviceability. To assess foundation performance by strength mobilization, an understanding of soil strains at various levels of strength mobilization is required. In practice, ground investigation data are often limited, and assessment of the expected variation of stress–strain and undrained shear strength is improved with empirical correlations calibrated with a database. The new database RFG/TXCU-278 contains data of 278 consolidated–undrained triaxial tests on reconstituted fine-grained soil samples compiled from the literature. Analysis of the database to evaluate the variability of undrained strength ratio (cu/[Formula: see text]) and a reference shear strain with shear mode is undertaken in this paper. The new database provides evidence that shear strain (like undrained shear strength) is sensitive to the consolidation (isotropic or K0) and shear mode (triaxial compression or extension) applied in the test. For the materials included in the database, the strength mobilization parameters obtained from a triaxial compression test can be used to predict the corresponding triaxial extension parameters to a reasonable accuracy.


2000 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 1272-1282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun-Gao Zhu ◽  
Jian-Hua Yin

A total number of 24 consolidated undrained triaxial shear tests on reconsolidated saturated Hong Kong marine clay (HKMC) have been performed in both compression and extension shear states. The specimens were prepared in four different overconsolidation ratios (OCRs) and sheared at three different axial strain rates. The strain-rate dependency of undrained shear strength, pore-water pressure, stress path, and secant Young's modulus are investigated. The influence of OCR on the stress–strain–strength behavior of HKMC is also examined. The results of all tests are presented and interpreted. The interpreted results are compared with the results in the literature. For the HKMC with OCR varying from 1 to 8, the average value of the strain-rate parameter [Formula: see text] 0.15 is 5.5% for compression tests and 8.4% for extension tests. Most interpreted results are conclusive and consistent with the published results, whereas some results are not conclusive. A new parameter for describing the strain-rate dependency of undrained shear strength of overconsolidated soil is introduced.Key words: strain-rate effects, clay, overconsolidated, triaxial, shear strength, pore-water pressure.


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