Feasibility study on the Evaluation of the degree of consolidation using shear waves for soft clay deposits

전단파를 이용한 연약지반의 압밀도 평가기법 적용성 연구

The evaluation of field degree of consolidation on soft clays has been an important problem in geotechnical areas. Monitoring either settlements or pore water pressures has been widely applied in the filed, but occasionally they have some problems. This study addresses the suggestion and application of another method for evaluating the degree of consolidation using shear wave velocities. A research site where soft clay layers were consolidated by surcharging loads was chosen. Laboratory tests were performed to determine the relation between shear wave velocity and effective stress. Field seismic tests were conducted several times during the consolidation of the clay layers. The tests results show that the shear wave velocity increased significantly as clays consolidated. The shear wave velocities at each field stress states were derived from the laboratory results and the degree of consolidation was evaluated by comparing the shear wave velocities obtained by laboratory and field seismic methods. In most stress states, the degree of consolidation evaluated using the shear wave velocity matched well with that obtained from field settlement record, showing the potential of applying the method using shear waves in the evaluation of field degree of consolidation on soft clay deposits.