ANISOTROPY IN OVERCONSOLIDATED CLAYS

The influence of anisotropy on the deformation of overconsolidated clays is well known. This phenomenon has normally been analysed by assuming that the theory of anisotropic elasticity is applicable. This paper seeks to question the validity of that assumption; i.e. Whether a single set of incremental elastic constants is applicable to a clay in a given condition. It is further suggested that the anisotropy so far detected in overconsolidated clays is a consequence of the way the stiffness moduli vary with the direction of incremental shear: that is of the non-reversibility of shearing of the soil. The discussion centres on the two extreme cases of 'active' and 'passive' shear in which the major principal compressive strain is respectively parallel or perpendicular to the original direction of consolidation. Experimental data are presented for kaolin, Fulford clay, Haney clay and London clay. Apart from the London clay data, these data showed stiffnesses in 'active' shear up to 10 times greater than those in passive shear. It is apparent from the data that laboratory tests in only one mode of shear may be quite inapplicable to A field situation involving shear in another direction.(a) /TRRL/

Language

  • French

Media Info

  • Features: Figures; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: p. 31-36
  • Serial:
    • GEOTECHNIQUE
    • Volume: 27
    • Issue Number: 1
    • Publisher: Thomas Telford Limited
    • ISSN: 0016-8505

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00156498
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
  • Report/Paper Numbers: Analytic
  • Files: ITRD, TRIS
  • Created Date: Sep 20 1977 12:00AM