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Evaluation of compression index of remoulded clays by means of Atterberg limits

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Abstract

The literature contains numerous equations linking a soil's characteristics of compressibility to its index properties, such as liquid limit and plasticity index. As these equations are often used to obtain preliminary evaluations of the compression index Cc, it is important to know the reliability of these equations. The paper analyses some of the equations more frequently used to calculate Cc from laboratory index properties, using a methodology based on two specific indices: ranking distance and ranking index. Forty-six samples formed the data set, mainly of Blue Clays and Varicoloured Clays outcropping in the southern part of the Bradanic Foredeep. It was concluded that the most reliable equation correlates Cc with the shrinkage index.

Résumé

La bibliographie contient de nombreuses équations reliant les caractéristiques de compressibilité des sols à leurs paramètres d’identification géotechnique, tels que la limite de liquidité et l’indice de plasticité. Comme ces équations sont souvent utilisées pour obtenir des évaluations préliminaires de l’indice de compression Cc, il est important de connaître leur fiabilité. L’article considère quelques unes des équations le plus souvent utilisées pour calculer Cc à partir d’essais d’identification géotechnique de laboratoire, mettant en œuvre un traitement statistique des données de mesures basé sur l’utilisation de deux indices statistiques particuliers. Quarante six échantillons constituent la base de données. Ils sont issus principalement des Argiles Bleues et des Argiles Versicolores en affleurement dans le bassin d’avant-fosse de Bradano. Il apparaît que l’équation la plus fiable met en relation Cc avec l’indice de retrait.

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Acknowledgements

The authors express their thanks to Prof. Francesco Maria Guadagno for his good advice.

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Correspondence to C. I. Giasi.

Appendix

Appendix

List of symbols

μ::

mean

s::

standard deviation

RI::

ranking index

RD::

ranking distance

Cc::

compression index

C ccalc ::

calculated value of compression index

Ccmeas ::

measured value of compression index

G::

specific gravity

wn::

natural water content

e0::

initial void index

eL::

void index corresponding to liquid limit

LL::

liquid limit

PI::

plasticity index

SI::

shrinkage index

PL::

plastic limit

ACT::

activity

C.F.::

clay fraction

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Giasi, C.I., Cherubini, C. & Paccapelo, F. Evaluation of compression index of remoulded clays by means of Atterberg limits. Bull Eng Geol Environ 62, 333–340 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-003-0196-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-003-0196-3

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