Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Recommended Practice for Soft Clay Characterization with a Focus on Settlement and Stability Analysis

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Frontiers in Geotechnical Engineering

Part of the book series: Developments in Geotechnical Engineering ((DGE))

  • 854 Accesses

Abstract

The representativeness and applicability of engineering parameters for geotechnical design is linked to the quality of site characterization. Over the years, a significant effort has been made to improve and refine the in situ testing and soil sampling techniques. Despite these, there is overwhelming evidence that conventional tube and piston samplers are still commonly used for soft soils. Keeping this in mind, the paper aims to guide the readers about the consequences of sample disturbances on strength and deformation behavior of soft clays. In addition, recommendations are made to help them to assign degree of confidence to the soil parameters to be used in settlement and stability analysis.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 139.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 179.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Amundsen, H.A., Thakur, V., Emdal, A.: Sample disturbance in block samples of low plastic soft clays. In: 17th Nordic Geotechnical Meeting, Island (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Amundsen, H.A., Thakur, V.: Storage duration effects on soft clay samples. Accepted for publication in Geotechnical Testing Journal. https://doi.org/10.1520/GTJ20170426. ISSN 0149-6115 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Amundsen, H.A.: Storage duration effects on Norwegian low-plasticity sensitive clay samples. PhD Thesis, Norwegian University of Science and Technology. ISSN 1503-8181 (2018)

    Google Scholar 

  4. Berre, T.: Effect of sample disturbance on triaxial and oedometer behaviour of a stiff and heavily overconsolidated clay. Can. Geotech. J. 51 896–910 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2013-0077

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Bjerrum, L.: Engineering geology of Norwegian normally consolidated marine clays as related to settlements of buildings. Géotechnique 17(2), 81–118 (1967)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Brooker, E.W., Ireland, H.O.: Earth pressure at rest related to stress history. Can. Geotech. J. 2(1), 1–15 (1965)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Burland, J.B.: On the compressibility and shear strength of natural clays. Géotechnique 40(3), 329–378 (1990)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Casagrande, A.: The determination of the pre-consolidation load and its practical significance. In: Proceedings of the First International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering Boston, vol. 3, Discussion D-34, 60 (1936)

    Google Scholar 

  9. DeGroot, D.J., Poirier, S.E., Landon, M.M.: Sample disturbance-Soft clays. Stud. Geotech. Mech. 27(3–4), 91–105 (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Degago, S.A., Grimstad, G., Jostad, H.P., Nordal, S., Olsson, M.: Use and misuse of the isotache concept with respect to creep hypotheses A and B. Géotechnique 61, 897–908 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Degago, S.A., Grimstad, G.: Potential application of satellite data in evaluation of field creep calculation. In: Proceedings of the 19th International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Seoul, pp. 715–720 (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  12. Degago, S.A., Jostad, H.P., Olsson, M., Grimstad, G., Nordal, S.: Time- and stress-compressibility of clays during primary consolidation. In: Proceedings of the 7th NUMGE, Trondheim, pp. 125–130 (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Degago, S.A., Nordal, S., Grimstad, G., Jostad, H.P.: Analyses of Väsby test fill according to creep hypothesis A and B. In: Proceedings of the 13th IACMAG, Melbourne, vol. 1, pp. 307–312 (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  14. Degago, S.A., Grimstad, G.: Evaluation of soil parameters for creep calculations of field cases. In: 17th Nordic Geotechnical Meeting, Island (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  15. Degago, S.A.: On creep during primary consolidation of clays. Ph.D. Thesis, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  16. Degago, S.A., Grimstad, G.: Significance of sample quality in settlement analysis of field cases. In: Proceedings of the 8th NUMGE, Delft, The Netherlands, pp. 153–158 (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  17. Grimstad, G., Degago, S.A., Nordal, S., Karstunen, M.: Modeling creep and rate effects in structured anisotropic soft clays. Acta Geotech. 5, 69–81 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Grimstad, G., Degago, S.A: A non-associated creep model for structured anisotropic clay (n-SAC). In: 7th European Conferences NUMGE, Trondheim, Norway, pp. 3–8 (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  19. Grimstad, G., Mehli, M., Degago, S.A.: Creep in clay during the first few years after construction. In: Proceedings of the 6th International Symposium on Deformation Characteristics of Geomaterials, Buenos Aires, pp. 915–922 (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  20. Gylland, A., Sandven, R., Emdal, A., Thakur, V.: Extended interpretation basis for the vane shear test. In: 17th NGM, Iceland (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  21. Hermann, S., Jensen, T.G.: CPTU combined with block sampling gave cost saving solutions for Nykirke railway crossing. In: Proceedings of Norwegian Geotechnical Day, Oslo, Paper No. 32 (In Norwegian) (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  22. Hvorslev, M. J.: Uber die Festigkeilesigenschaften gestorter bindiger Boden. Ingeniorvidenskabelige Skrifter, A, No. 45, Copenhagen (1937)

    Google Scholar 

  23. Janbu, N.: Soil compressibility as determined by oedometer and triaxial tests. In: Proceedings of the third European Conference Soil Mechanics, Wiesbadem, vol. 1, pp. 19–25 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  24. Janbu, N.: The resistance concept applied to deformations of soils. In: Proceedings of 7th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, Mexico City, vol. 1, pp. 191–196 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  25. Karlsrud, K., Hernandez-Martinez, F.G.: Strength and deformation properties of Norwegian clays from laboratory tests on high-quality block samples. Can. Geotech. J. 50(12), 1273–1293 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Karlsrud, K., Lunne, T., Kort, D.A., Strandvik, S.: CPTU correlations for clays. In: Proceedings of International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, 16, Osaka, vol. 2, pp. 693–702 (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  27. Karlsrud, K., Lunne, T., Kort, D.A., et al.: CPTU correlations for clays. In: 16th ICSMFE 16, vol. 2, pp. 693–702 (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  28. Lacasse, S., Berre, T., Lefebvre, G.: Block sampling of sensitive clays. In: Proceeding of the 11th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, San Francisco, pp. 887–892 (1985)

    Google Scholar 

  29. Ladd, C.C., Foott, R., Ishihara, K., Schlosser, F., Poulos, H.G.: Stress-deformation and strength characteristics. State-of-the-art report. In: Proceedings of 9th ICSMFE, Tokyo, vol. 2, pp. 421–494 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  30. Larsson, R., Mattsson, H.: Settlements and shear increase below embankments. SGI Rep. 63, 88p (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  31. Leroueil, S., Kabbaj, M.: Discussion of ‘Settlement analysis of embankments on soft clays’ by Mesri & Choi. ASCE 113(9), 1067–1070 (1987)

    Google Scholar 

  32. Leroueil, S.: Compressibility of clays: fundamental and practical aspects. J. Geotech. Eng. Div. ASCE 122(7), 534–543 (1996)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Leroueil, S.: Šuklje Memorial Lecture: The isotache approach. Where are we 50 years after its development by Professor Šuklje? In: Proceedings of the 13th Danube European Conference on Geotechnical Engineering, Ljubljana, vol. 2, pp. 55–88 (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  34. Long, M., El Hadj, N., Hagberg, K.: Quality of conventional fixed piston samples of Norwegian soft clay. J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 135(2), 185–198 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Lunne, T., Berre, T., Strandvik, S.: Sample disturbance effects in soft low plastic Norwegian clay. In: Proceedings of the Symposium on Recent Developments in Pavement Mechanical, Rio de Janeiro (1997)

    Google Scholar 

  36. Lunne, T., Robertson, P.K., Powell, J.J.M.: Cone Penetration Testing in Geotechnical Practice. Blackie Academic & Professional (1997)

    Google Scholar 

  37. Lunne, T. and Andersen, K.H.: Soft clay shear strength parameters for deepwater geotechnical design. In: Proceedings of the 6th OSIG, London, UK, pp. 151–176 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  38. Mesri, G.: Primary and secondary compression. In: Germaine, J.T., Sheahan, T.S., Whitman, R.V. (eds.) Soil Behavior and Soft Ground Construction, vol. 119, pp. 122–166. ASCE Geotechnical Special Publication (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  39. Mesri, G., Feng, T.W., Shahien, M.: Compressibility parameters during primary consolidation. In: Proceedings of the International Symposium on Compression and Consolidation of Clayey Soils, Hiroshima, vol. 2, pp. 1021–1037 (1995)

    Google Scholar 

  40. Sallfors, G.: Preconsolidation pressure of soft high plastic clays. Ph.D. Thesis, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  41. Sandven, R., Gylland, A., Montafia, A., Kåsin, K., Pfaffhuber, A.A.: In situ detection of sensitive clays—Part I and II: Results. In: Nordic Geotechnical Meeting, Iceland (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  42. Schjetne, K.: The measurement of pore pressure during sampling. In: Proceedings of the 4th Asian ISSMFE, Special Session on Quality in Soil Sampling, Bangkok, p. 12016 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  43. Skempton, A.W.: The ☐ = 0 analysis of stability and its theoretical basis. In: Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, vol. 1, pp. 72–78 (1948a)

    Google Scholar 

  44. Stolle, D.F.E., Vermeer, P.A., Bonnier, P.G.: Consolidation model for a creeping clay. Can. Geotech. J. 36(4), 754–759 (1999)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Stolle, D.F.E., Vermeer, P.A., Bonnier, P.G.: Consolidation model for a creeping clay. Can. Geotech. J. 36(4), 754–759 (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  46. Šuklje, L.: The analysis of the consolidation process by the Isotaches method. In: Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, London, vol. 1, pp. 200–206 (1957)

    Google Scholar 

  47. Thakur, V.: Characterization of sensitive soft clays for design purposes. Dev. Geotech. Eng. (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-0505-4

    Google Scholar 

  48. Thakur, V.K.S., Fauskerud, O.A., Gjelsvik, V., Christensen, S.O., Oset, F., Nordal, S., Viklund, M., Strand, S.-A.: A procedure for the assessment of the undrained shear strength profile of soft clays. In: Proceedings of the 17th Nordic Geotechnical Meeting (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  49. Thakur, et al.: Recommended practice for use of strength anisotropy. In: 2nd IWLSC. Springer Book Series on Natural Hazards (2017)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors of this paper acknowledge the R&D and the funding partners of Natural Hazards—Infrastructure for Floods and Slides Program—NIFS (www.naturfare.no). The OFFPhD program by the Research council of Norway (www.rcn.no) and Norwegian Public Roads Administration are gratefully acknowledged for their supports. It is worth mentioning that this paper partly presents a summary of the work that has been presented in various arenas including at 17th Nordic geotechnical meeting (NGM). Readers are encouraged to refer Thakur et al. [48] and Degago and Grimstad [14] for further details.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

    Vikas Thakur

  2. Norwegian Public Roads Administration, Trondheim, Norway

    Samson Abate Degago

Authors
  1. Vikas Thakur
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Samson Abate Degago
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Vikas Thakur .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Science Bangalore, Bangalore, Karnataka, India

    Madhavi Latha G.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Thakur, V., Degago, S.A. (2019). Recommended Practice for Soft Clay Characterization with a Focus on Settlement and Stability Analysis. In: Latha G., M. (eds) Frontiers in Geotechnical Engineering. Developments in Geotechnical Engineering. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-5871-5_5

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-5871-5_5

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-13-5870-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-13-5871-5

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation