Undrained cyclic behavior of overconsolidated marine soft clay under a traffic-load-induced stress path

Abstract

ABSTRACTTo reduce the settlement induced by long-term traffic loads, the surcharge preloading method is widely used to improve the characteristics of marine soft clay subgrade. However, its effectiveness needs clarification. This paper presents the test results for the cyclic behavior of normal and overconsolidated marine soft clay under stress paths that simulate traffic loading through hollow cylinder apparatus. Test results show that the overconsolidation ratio significantly influences the axial strain, pore water pressure, stress–strain loops, and resilient modulus of soft clay specimens. Moreover, regression analysis on results under stress path with principal stress rotation predicts the permanent strain for overconsolidated marine soft clay.