Predictions of coefficient of consolidation from CPTU dissipation tests in Quaternary clays

The coefficient of consolidation (c _v or c _h) is an important parameter in both geotechnical and geo-environmental engineering, measuring the flow characteristics of soils. In China, conventionally it is obtained from the oedometer test, which is time consuming and of limited accuracy due to inevitable sample disturbance. These difficulties can be overcome by in situ pizeocone dissipation tests which provide continuous measurements of pore water pressure with time. In this paper, existing methods for interpreting coefficient of consolidation in clays from piezocone dissipation tests are briefly reviewed. Piezocone tests were undertaken at different sites in the Jiangsu province of China and piezocone dissipation tests conducted at different penetration depths. Based on the reference c _v values determined from the laboratory oedometer tests, comparisons with existing interpretation methods were undertaken. It is shown that the Teh and Houlsby’s interpretation method has a much higher accuracy for determining the coefficient of consolidation of Quaternary clay deposits while the values of c _h obtained by the CPTU method are in the range of back-analyzed field values.     

A model for resilient modulus determination of recycled mixes with bitumen emulsion and cement from ITS testing results

Typically, resilient modulus (M_r) of recycled mixes, containing bitumen emulsion and cement, will increase upon curing. Hence, assigning a design M_r for these mixes will be more complex than the case of conventional hot mixes. Furthermore, M_r testing facilities are not generally available in many project sites. Therefore, developing a model that could estimate M_r from ordinary testing methods would be quite appropriate. In this research, upon performing indirect tensile strength test (ITS) and determining M_r of specimens at different testing temperatures (−10, 5 and 25 °C) and curing times (7, 28 and 120 days), two models have been developed to estimate the M_r of recycled mixes with bitumen emulsion and two types of cements (type I and pozzolanic cement). The results showed that increased curing time and cement content and decreased testing temperature led to increased ITS and M_r values. For both tests the effect of temperature was more pronounced than two other parameters. The models were developed by two steps. First the relationship between ITS and M_r at similar testing conditions was determined for each cement type. This was done by a linear relationship. In the second step, the relationship was adjusted to consider the effects of temperature and curing time. Using the final model, M_r of studied mixes could be estimated from ITS testing results at similar or different testing conditions.     

Laboratory measurements of small strain properties of dry sands by bender element

The S-wave and P-wave velocities in dry sands are simultaneously measured by a single pair of bender elements (BE) incorporated into a standard resonant column (RC) apparatus with a torsional shear (TS) function. The small strain properties, including shear modulus G₀, constrained modulus M₀ and Poisson's ratio υ, are determined for specimens at various densities and confining pressures. The results show that the G₀ values obtained from the BE tests agree well with those from RC and TS tests, indicating the reliability of the signal interpretation and the testing system. Furthermore, the G₀ data of the present test series is in good agreement with the data from the literature. The results also show that G₀ increases faster than M₀ as the soil density and the confining pressure increase. In terms of Poisson's ratio, it decreases with an increasing soil density and confining pressure and generally lies in the range of 0.18–0.32 for the tested sands. Empirical equations are established to approximately estimate Poisson's ratio from the measured G₀ or M₀ values.     

Field Evaluation of the Cyclic Strength versus Cone Tip Resistance Correlation in Silty Sands

The liquefaction potential assessment under the framework of simplified procedure that involves the use of cone penetration tests (CPT) typically relies on empirical correlations between the soil cyclic resistance ratio, CRR and cone tip resistance q_t. For sands that contain fines (particles passing #200 sieve), an adjustment based on fines content in the CRR-q_t correlation is called for in currently available procedures. Earlier laboratory calibration tests in reconstituted silty sand specimens performed by the authors have indicated that partial drainage in CPT played an important role in the CRR-q_t correlations. A series of laboratory tests on undisturbed samples and field piezocone penetration tests (CPTU) were carried out in an alluvial soil deposit at two test sites in Central and Southern Taiwan. The results indicated that unlike the uniformly mixed specimens reconstituted in laboratory, the tested natural alluvial silt/sand soils can be heterogeneous with closely spaced clean sand layers embedded in a matrix of silty material. This stratification can render the CPTU a drained test even at fines contents well in excess of 50%. The ignorance of free draining effects on CPTU due to stratification in alluvial soils may lead to overestimation of CRR. Because of these factors, calibration of the CRR-q_t correlations by performing tests in local soil and field procedures to ascertain the drainage conditions in CPTU are important to the proper application of the CRR-q_t correlations in the liquefaction potential assessment.     

基坑中基于CPTU软土不排水强度确定及应用

不排水抗剪强度是土的重要力学特性参数。在岩土工程施工期稳定性分析中,需用不排水抗剪强度值。目前,不排水抗剪强度的确定主要有室内试验和十字板剪切试验。但前者受土样扰动影响大,后者十字板强度是土体各滑动面上抗剪强度的较小值,在基坑工程验算坑底隆起时,结果不够准确。本文首先总结了国内外基于CPTU的Su确定方法,在典型软土基坑工程中进行了孔压静力触探试验,根据不排水试验值与锥尖阻力的关系,反演出圆锥系数的值。基于反演的圆锥系数,把CPTU预测的不排水抗剪强度应用到基坑的隆起分析中,与基于室内试验数据和基于十字板强度的计算结果进行了比较,结果表明:基于CPTU的软粘土不排水抗剪强度指标计算结果合理,符合工程实际,值得在工程设计中推广。     

Quantifying the effects of geogrid reinforcement in unbound granular base

This study presents an effort to quantify the effects of geogrid reinforcement in the unbound granular base through laboratory testing. Two laboratory tests, the large-scale cyclic shear test and the repeated load triaxial test, were employed. The test protocol of the cyclic shear test was developed by modifying that for the triaxial test. The cyclic shear test was performed by applying a series of cyclic shear stresses to the geogrid-aggregate interface under different normal stresses. Two different types of geogrids were used as reinforcement in unbound granular material. Resilient modulus (M_R) from the repeated load triaxial test and a term named resilient interface shear modulus (G_i) from the cyclic shear test was used to characterize the effects of geogrid reinforcement in unbound granular base, respectively. The results of triaxial tests showed that the inclusion of geogrid had a negligible effect on the resilient modulus, indicating that the triaxial resilient modulus test may not be effective in evaluating the geogrid reinforcement in unbound granular materials. Compared to the triaxial resilient modulus test, the cyclic shear test showed great potential in identifying the effects of geogrid reinforcement, with an obvious improvement in the degree of interlocking between geogrids and aggregates.     

Evaluation of the mechanical properties of Brazilian lumber (Goupia glabra) by nondestructive techniques

The purpose of this work was to ascertain the accuracy of the ultrasonic and transverse vibration techniques in comparison with the values obtained from static tests on structural lumber, thereby contributing to the body of knowledge about nondestructive testing of timber. The experimental methodology involved studies on pieces of structural dimensions of the species Goupia glabra, a Brazilian hardwood, which were classified mechanically using the nondestructive ultrasonic and transverse vibration techniques to determine the dynamic modulus of elasticity (E_d). Concomitantly to the nondestructive tests, static bending tests were conducted to determine the static modulus of elasticity (MOE) and compare it with the values of dynamic modulus of elasticity. The values of the coefficient of determination for the ultrasonic technique (R² = 0.88) and for the transverse vibration technique (R² = 0.88) obtained for the species G. glabra were significant, demonstrating that the ultrasonic and transverse vibration techniques are important tools for the nondestructive inference of the modulus of elasticity of timber.     

Variability of Physical and Consolidation Test Results for Relatively Uniform Clay Samples Retrieved from Osaka Bay

Samples collected from both Holocene and Pleistocene layers in Osaka Bay were examined in this study. The objective of this study is to evaluate variations of soil parameters in a sample length of about one meter. The retrieved samples from EL. (elevation) -37.5 to -38.5 m and from EL.-125.5 to -126.5 m with a length of about one meter were divided into every 25 mm long to trim consolidation specimens. Variations of soil parameters obtained from laboratory tests were evaluated. Clay microfabric was also evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP). The clay layers are relatively homogeneous with variation coefficient CV in a range of 0.025 to 0.12 for the consolidation parameters (e, p′_c, C_c and c_v). CV of void ratio e is only 0.025 to 0.056. In contrast, CV values of the other consolidation parameters are significantly greater than this, but the average is less than 0.1. It can be concluded that CV of soil consolidation parameters for the homogeneous natural clay deposits dealt in this study is less than about 0.1. These variations are mainly influenced by sedimentary environment. Even the soil is said to be homogeneous, because the specimen size for the laboratory tests is sufficiently large in consideration of microscopic heterogeneity obtained from SEM and MIP.     

Mechanisms of quasi-preconsolidation stress development in clays: A rheological model

This paper deals with the development of a mechanistic model for the ageing consolidation behavior of clays with the focus on aspects related to the development of quasi-preconsolidation pressure. The initial use of such pressure in design met with criticism, but field and laboratory evidence, which highlights its significance, continues to accumulate. A nonlinear rheological model is used to numerically simulate the consolidation process of clay in laboratory tests and to identify the basic mechanical parameters that contribute to the development of the quasi-preconsolidation phenomenon. Methods to identify the parameters of the model from oedometer tests are described. It is shown that while the variation in soil modulus can be characterized by a linear form in the virgin compression region, it is nonlinear in the recompression region and is best characterized by a hyperbolic function. Changes to the modulus in the recompression region, due to ageing, is shown to be the dominant cause of the development of the quasi-p_c phenomenon. Observed results as well as numerical simulations demonstrate that specimens that had aged longer show increased quasi-p_c values. While the variation in soil modulus controls the EOP curve of clays, the observed time effects, such as the “vanishing p_c” phenomenon, are controlled primarily by changes in soil viscosity. However, this has no bearing on the development of the quasi-p_c phenomenon.     

Case study of a driven pile foundation in diatomaceous soil. I: Site characterization and engineering properties

Diatomaceous soils are comprised of the silica frustules of diatom microalgae that are present in marine and lacustrine environments throughout the world.Owing to their unique origin,diatomaceous soils are typically characterized by high intraparticle porosity,complex particle shapes,and uniform mineralogy,causing them to exhibit atypical physical and engineering behaviors.A substantial deposit of diatomaceous silt was observed during site exploration for construction of the Buck Creek Bridge on OR140 near Klamath Falls,OR,USA.A comprehensive laboratory and in situ testing program indicated that the diatomaceous soil possessed“non-textbook”engineering properties.Specifically,tested samples had high liquid limits(≈100%-140%)with natural water contents at or near the liquid limit.Geologically,the soil is expected to be normally consolidated,yet high apparent overconsolidation ratios(OCR)(≈15-40)were observed both in oedometric consolidation tests and through cone penetration test(CPT)correlations.Standard penetration test(SPT)results show a corrected standard penetration resistance consistent with a medium-dense sand(i.e.(N1)₆₀≈25).CPT results include corrected tip resistances(qt)of approximately 7-10 MPa and excess pore pressures(u₂)of up to 4 MPa.In CPT dissipation tests,pore water pressures(PWPs)returned to hydrostatic pressure in less than 1 h.In this work,we synthesize these seemingly disparate material properties in an attempt to infer appropriate engineering properties for the diatomaceous deposit at the Buck Creek Bridge and attempt to provide insight into the underlying reasons for the observed behavior.     

A method for predicting consolidation settlements of floating column improved clayey subsoil

A method of predicting the consolidation settlement-time curve of floating soil-cement column on improved soft clayey subsoil has been proposed. The degree of the consolidation (U(t)) of the system is calculated by the double soil-layer consolidation theory, and the methods for evaluating the equivalent hydraulic conductivity (k) and the coefficient of volume compressibility (m _v) of the part of the column improved layer have been proposed. The effectiveness of the method was verified by comparing predictions with the results of finite element analysis (FEA) using a unit cell model. The consolidation settlement (s(t)) can be calculated by the method of treating a part of the column improved layer as an unimproved layer and using the corresponding average U(t) value. By comparing the predicted results with the measurements of laboratory model tests and three case histories in Fukuoka, Japan, the effectiveness of the proposed methods has been verified. It is suggested that the method can be used for designing the soft clayey subsoil improvement using floating soil-cement columns.     

Experimental and Analytical studies of reinforced crushed limestone

This research study aims at investigating the behavior of spread footings on reinforced crushed limestone using laboratory model tests. The model tests were conducted inside a steel box with dimensions of 1.5 m (length) × 0.91 m (width) × 0.91 m (height) using a steel plate with dimensions of 152 mm × 152 mm (6 in. × 6 in.). The parameters investigated include the number of reinforcement layers and the tensile modulus and type of reinforcement. An analytical solution is also developed to estimate the ultimate bearing capacity of reinforced crushed limestone. The test results show that the inclusion of reinforcement can appreciably improve the bearing capacity of crushed limestone up to a factor of 2.85 at a settlement ratio of 10% and reduce the footing settlement down to 75% at a surface pressure of 5500 kPa. The results also demonstrate that reinforcements with higher tensile modulus performed better than reinforcements with lower tensile modulus and that steel reinforcement performed better than geogrid reinforcement. The proposed analytical solution gave a good predication of experimental results of geogrid reinforced sections, while Huang and Menq's solution (1997) gave a good predication for steel reinforced crushed limestone. The analytical results also showed that the reinforced ratio (R_r) should be high enough to form the “deep footing” effect.     

Resilient behavior of compacted subgrade soils under the repeated triaxial test

Subgrade soils are very important materials to support highways. Resilient modulus (M_r) has been used for characterizing stress-strain behavior of subgrades subjected to repeated traffic loadings. Recently the repeated triaxial test procedure has been upgraded through AASHTO T 307. Since the testing procedure is still complex, the testing has not been widely implemented in practice. In order to evaluate resilient behavior of compacted subgrades soils, the repeated triaxial test and the unconfined compressive test as well as some fundamental property tests were conducted. In this study, the applicability of a simplified procedure with a confining pressure of 13.8 kPa and deviator stresses of 13.8, 27.6, 41.4, 55.2, 69 and 103.4 kPa was investigated on the typical sandy–silty–clay and silty–clay subgrade soils encountered in Indiana. The results obtained from the simplified procedure are comparable with those obtained from AASHTO T 307 which calls for 15 combinations of stresses. This shows the simplified procedure to be feasible and effective for design purpose. Some soils compacted wet of optimum moisture content showed an excessive permanent deformation. This phenomenon was investigated by the comparison of the unconfined compressive test and the repeated triaxial test results. For soils exhibiting excessive permanent deformation, use of deformed length is desirable for more accurate calculation of M_r. Usually the soils compacted dry of optimum shows the largest M_r for sandy–silty–clay soils due to capillary suction, but it is not necessarily true for silty–clay soils. A predictive model to estimate regression coefficients k₁, k₂, and k₃ using 11 soil variables obtained from the soil property tests and the standard Proctor compaction tests was developed. The predicted regression coefficients compare well with measured ones.     

Estimating the unconfined compressive strength of intact rocks from Equotip hardness

In order to utilize the Equotip hardness tester, originally developed in the field of metallic engineering, as an indirect method to predict the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of rock, laboratory tests were undertaken to establish the UCS, Equotip hardness (L-value) and porosity of nine rock types. Using existing data from Verwaal and Mulder (Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech Abstr 30:659–662, 1993) and the results of laboratory tests, an equation relating UCS (MPa) and L-value obtained from single impacts (L _s) and porosity (n %) was derived, which provides a close approximation of the UCS value. An equation to relate UCS and Equotip hardness is also presented, although this is less accurate. It is considered Equotip testing has advantages over the commonly used Schmidt hammer test.      

Geotechnical Properties of a Pumice Sand

The pumice sand found in the North Island of New Zealand has properties which lie beyond those usually associated with cohesionless soils. The grains are very soft and the sand has a high void ratio, thus forming a compressible material. This paper presents the results of a series of drained triaxial and K₀ tests on dry pumice sand. The tests were conducted to evaluate the geotechnical properties, particularly the critical state parameters, of the sand and also to provide background information for interpretation of cone penetration tests in the material. The K₀ tests were used to evaluate the compression envelope under conditions of no lateral strain and to determine values of constrained modulus. Significant grain crushing was found to occur during testing even at low confining stress, in fact the stress-strain-strength behaviour of the material is dominated by particle crushing. Routine soil testing techniques were found to be inadequate for the evaluation of the specific gravity of pumice sand particles and a different technique was used for this purpose. The angle of friction of pumice sand was found to be larger than that of quartz sands, however pumice sand required very large shear strains to mobilise the peak and critical state shear strength and, for several tests, critical state conditions were not reached.     

The natural radioactivity levels and radiation hazard of pumice from the East Mediterranean Region of Turkey

The concentrations of natural radionuclides in 20 pumice samples from the Toprakkale-Osmaniye area were studied using γ-ray spectrometry in order to assess the radioactivity levels and health hazard. The activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K in the pumice samples ranged from 9.44 to 27.31, 12.24 to 25.43 and 289.48 to 673.18 Bq kg⁻¹, respectively. The radionuclide concentrations in pumice samples were matched with typical world values and the radium equivalent activity (Ra_eq), external (H _ex) and internal (H _in) hazard index and representative level index (I _γr) determined. All the calculated values were below the internationally accepted limits and indicate that the Toprakkale-Osmaniye pumice can safely be used in construction.      

Bearing ratio of reinforced fly ash overlying soft soil and deformation modulus of fly ash

This paper presents the laboratory study on the bearing ratio of unreinforced and reinforced fly ash overlying soft soil beds of a total of 11 fly ash samples collected from different thermal power plants located in the Eastern part of India. The thickness of the bottom clay layer (H_c) was maintained as 100 mm in the bearing ratio mould. The upper layer thickness of compacted fly ash (H_f) was varied. The values of the ratio H_f/H_c used were 0.75, 1.00 and 1.25 in this study. The fly ash layer was reinforced with single layer and double layers of geotextiles. The effects of (i) position and number of layers of geotextiles, (ii) thickness of the compacted fly ash layer overlying soft soil layer, and (iii) moulding water content of the soft soil, on the bearing ratio of fly ash are highlighted. The inclusion of geotextile into the compacted fly ash bed enhances the bearing ratio. An increase in the thickness of compacted fly ash layer over the soft soil layer also increases the bearing ratio of the compacted fly ash bed. The values of unconfined compressive strength and deformation modulus of all the fly ash samples are also presented. Empirical relationships to estimate deformation modulus of fly ash from unconfined compressive strength and relationships between initial tangent modulus and secant modulus of fly ash are presented. It may be concluded from this research study that reinforced compacted fly ash overlying soft soil with a geotextile layer at the interface can find potential application in the construction of roads over soft soil.     

Relationship between the standard penetration test and the pressuremeter test on sandy silty clays: a case study from Denizli

The standard penetration test (SPT) is the in situ test most commonly used to investigate the properties of silt, clay, sand and fine gravel. The Menard pressuremeter test (PMT) can be utilized to obtain the strength and deformation properties of any soil or weak rock. The study investigated the relationship between the corrected SPT blow count (N _cor) and the PMT parameters of elastic modulus (E _m) and limit pressure (p _L). It is concluded that for the soils tested, E _m and p _L can be estimated as a function of N _cor values, with r = 0.91 and 0.97, respectively.      

Measurement-related uncertainties in overcoring data at the Äspö HRL, Sweden. Part 2: Biaxial tests of CSIRO HI overcore samples

This paper is the second dealing with measurement-related uncertainties of overcoring data undertaken at the Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory and focuses on the biaxial test data from CSIRO HI overcore samples. The first paper dealt with measurement-related uncertainties in connection with the overcoring phase [1].The uncertainties identified in connection to biaxial tests of CSIRO HI overcore samples include too large applied pressures and poor sampling frequency. At the Äspö HRL, the results yield that most overcore samples fractured during biaxial testing, meaning that a significant part, 56%, of available strain gauge combinations were removed from calculations of the elastic parameters. Remaining strain gauge combinations indicate average values of 62±5 GPa for Young's modulus and 0.25±0.01 for Poisson's ratio, which are considerably lower than previously published values [2–5], and are in good agreement with results from biaxial tests on Borre Probe overcore samples [6–10]. The stress calculations were obtained from re-analyzed elastic parameters and strains, and show primarily a reduction in stress magnitudes. Overall, the stress field obtained with different stress measurement methods and its variation with depth is now quite well resolved. The overcoring data suggest that the principal stresses are inclined with a vertical component dipping about 65° from the horizontal over the investigated rock volume (140–420 m depth). This is interpreted as a result of influence from the sub-vertical NE-2 Fracture Zone that divides the stress data into two stress domains [11], although it may also be an artefact because the σ₂- and σ₃-magnitudes are of the same order of magnitude.     

Measured and predicted performance of prefabricated vertical drains (PVDs) with and without vacuum preloading

This paper presents the effectiveness of vacuum preloading in accelerating the consolidation of PVD improved soft Bangkok clay by comparing with the corresponding results without vacuum preloading. Laboratory tests were conducted using a large scale consolidometer having diameter of 300 mm and height of 500 mm with reconstituted specimens installed with prefabricated vertical drains (PVD) with and without vacuum preloading. In addition, field data were collected from Second Bangkok International Airport (SBIA) site improved by PVD with and without vacuum pressures. Analyses were carried out to compare the compressibility parameters (C_h and k_h/k_s) by back-calculation of laboratory and field settlements using Hansbo (1979) method. From the laboratory tests, the horizontal coefficient of consolidation (C_h) values from reconstituted specimens were 1.08 and 1.87 m²/yr for PVD without and with vacuum pressure, respectively and the k_h/k_s values were 2.7 for PVD only and 2.5 for vacuum-PVD. After the improvement, the water contents of the soft clay were reduced, thereby, increasing its undrained shear strengths. Similarly, the field data analysis based on the back-calculated results showed that the k_h/k_s were 7.2 and 6.6 for PVD without and with vacuum, respectively. The C_h values increased slightly from 2.17 m²/yr for PVD only to 3.51 m²/yr for vacuum-PVD. The time to reach 90% degree of consolidation for soils with vacuum-PVD was one-third shorter than that for soils with PVD only because of higher C_h values. Thus, the addition of vacuum pressure leads to increase horizontal coefficient of consolidation which shortened the time of preloading. The PVDCON software was found to be useful to predict the settlements of the PVD improved ground with and without vacuum preloading.