FOUNDATION DESIGN OF EMBANKMENTS CONSTRUCTED ON CONNECTICUT VALLEY VARVED CLAYS

The report encompasses three main subjects. These are: (1) Presentation of a general methodology for the foundation design of embankments, especially regarding construction on soft ground; (2) A summary and synthesis of the engineering properties of Connecticut Valley varved clays, with emphasis on anisotropic strength, deformation and consolidation characteristics; and (3) Specific recommendations for the foundation design of embankments constructed on Connecticut Valley varved clays within Massachusetts. The last topic includes field and laboratory test programs; procedures for executing stability, deformation and consolidation analyses; the use of preloading with sand drains and surcharge fills; selection of soil parameters for design; and supervision of construction and evaluation of performance. Use of theoretical analyses and normalized soil properties are illustrated via an example design problem. Chapter 8 of the report presents a detailed summary of the design recommendations. /FHWA/

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Public Works. Prepared in cooperation with the Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration.
• Corporate Authors:

  Massachusetts Institute of Technology

  Department of Civil Engineering, 77 Massachusetts Avenue
  Cambridge, MA  United States  02139

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Ladd, C C
• Publication Date: 1975-6

Media Info

• Pagination: 438 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Analysis; Anisotropy (Physics); Consolidation; Deformation; Embankment foundations; Embankments; Field tests; Fills; Foundation engineering; Laboratory tests; Machine valves; Methodology; Properties of materials; Recommendations; Sand drains; Soil mechanics; Soil stabilization; Soils; Stability analysis; Strength of materials; Varved clays
• Uncontrolled Terms: Preloading; Soil consolidation; Soil deformation; Surcharge
• Old TRIS Terms: Anisotropy
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Materials; Research;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00130567
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Federal Highway Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-RD-75-S0395 Final Rpt.
• Contract Numbers: DOT-R23-0
• Files: NTIS, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Mar 29 1976 12:00AM