MISLEADING EFFECTS OF HIGH EXCESS PORE PRESSURES IN ORGANIC SOILS, IN AN UNDRAINED TRIAXIAL TEST

The current method of determining the shear strength parameter, based on the inclination of the p-q plot, even though widely used, can lead to invalid results, in the case of organic soils, if the limitation of the testing and computing procedures are not acknowledged. The ascent in the slope of the p-q plot depends upon the shearing resistance of the soil. However, the ascent can also be indirectly regulated by unusually high excess pore pressures which in turn will lead to an unrealistic climb in shear strength parameter, approaching 90 deg, reported in recent literature. An attempt is made, on experimental bases, to unravel such fog. A failure criterion is suggested in order to avoid unworthy results. An attempt is also made and presented in the form of graphs to distinguish between the well-grounded and the non-justified gyration of the p-q plot.

  • Supplemental Notes:
    • This paper was presented at the Twentieth Annual Engineering Geology & Soils Engineering Symposium, Boise, Idaho April 7&8, 1983.
  • Corporate Authors:

    Idaho Department of Highways

    P.O. Box 7129
    Boise, ID  United States  83707
  • Authors:
    • Khattak, A S
  • Publication Date: 1983

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Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00380615
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Files: TRIS, STATEDOT
  • Created Date: Mar 30 1984 12:00AM