Experimental Analysis of Mechanical Properties of High Organic Soft Clay at Different Depths

Abstract

In this study, with regard to the differences of formation stage and physicochemical properties for different high organic soft clay layers, a series of laboratory tests have been carried out to evaluate the mechanical properties of high organic soft clay in Northeast China. The conventional high-pressure consolidation and strain-controlled triaxial shear tests have been carried out to measure the compression and shear strength of high organic soft clay which formed in different ages. Furthermore, the comparisons of stress-strain relations between undisturbed and remoulded high organic soft clay samples under the confining pressure of 300kPa reveal the significant differences in compression and shear strengths of high organic soft clay at different depths, which can be interpreted by the differences in the degree of decomposition of the soil. The test results show that the degree of decomposition of high organic soft clay greatly depend on its formation stage at different depths, which is deemed to determine the mechanical properties. This study will provide a good guide to civil engineers on the constructions of the foundation.