Influence of shearing strain-rate on the mechanical behaviour of three structured clays
File(s)
Author(s)
Le, Truong
Airey, David
Standing, Jamie R
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
This paper presents the stress–strain behaviour of three structured clays subjected to a number of stepwise changes in strain rate during shearing in a triaxial apparatus. Undrained compression tests were performed on clay specimens in both undisturbed and reconstituted states. As a result, it has been possible to identify the influence of structure on the rate-dependent response of the clays. Step changes in applied shearing strain rates for all tests resulted in predominately isotache-type behaviour within the range of strains from very small strains to large strains at failure. At very small strains, evidence of a limiting elastic modulus was established for both the stiff sedimentary and artificially cemented soil, which is consistent with published literature on other structured geomaterials. The stress–strain behaviour of all three materials was affected by both the degradation of structure with increasing strain and applied strain rate. The influence of structure on the time-dependent behaviour of the clays is discussed by comparing the response of undisturbed and reconstituted specimens and following normalisation by the equivalent pressure. Results indicate that the rate sensitivity evolves with increasing strains and reaches a maximum at strain levels associated with peak shearing resistance.
Date Issued
2024-11-01
Date Acceptance
2022-10-13
Citation
Géotechnique, 2024, 74 (12), pp.1155-1171
ISSN
0016-8505
Publisher
Thomas Telford Ltd.
Start Page
1155
End Page
1171
Journal / Book Title
Géotechnique
Volume
74
Issue
12
Copyright Statement
© 2022 ICE Publishing. All rights reserved.
Identifier
https://www.icevirtuallibrary.com/doi/10.1680/jgeot.21.00277
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2022-10-24