ISSN: 0149-6115
Published Online: 5 April 2006
Page Count: 9

Consolidation Characteristics and Undrained Strength of Saturated Soft Clay under Repeated Impact Loading

Bai, B
College of Civil Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University,

(Received 28 December 2004; accepted 3 March 2006)

Abstract

The consolidation characteristics of saturated soft clay under repeated impact loading are studied by laboratory tests. Particularly, the influence of drainage conditions on consolidation and reconsolidation of soft clay are analyzed in detail. The uniqueness of the relationship between pore water pressure and reconsolidation volumetric strain is described, and the methods for determining the coefficient of reconsolidation volume compressibility and the reconsolidation compression index are given. It is demonstrated that the samples undergoing several stages of impact and reconsolidation show an apparent quasi-overconsolidation state, and have an increased shear strength. Models for predicting the deformation and the undrained strength of soft clay foundation from impact loading are also suggested. In the models, the conditions of partial drainage and stages of impact are taken into account. Calculated results by the present models are in good agreement with the test data.

Keywords:
saturated soft clay, impact loading, reconsolidation, pore pressure, shear strength, undrained loading

Paper ID: GTJ100273
DOI: 10.1520/GTJ100273
ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.