Optimal Strain Rate of Unloading-Reloading Cycle in Constant Rate of Strain Consoildation Test

제하-재재하 시 CRS 압밀 시험의 최적 변형률 속도

The constant rate of strain (CRS) consolidation test has been widely used to evaluate consolidation characteristics of soils instead of the standard Incremental Loading Test. In practical problems, after the ground improvement, the condition of the soil is over-consolidated. Therefore, it is important to determine the recompression indices and the coefficient of consolidation(or the coefficient of swelling) of unloading-reloading cycle to predict the settlement behavior. However, since standard testing procedures or studies related with strain rate are insufficient especially in unloading-reloading cycle, it is difficult to predict the settlement field behavior accurately from the CRS consolidation test results in spite of its lots of strengths. The several CRS consolidation tests were performed changing the unloading strain rate from 0.2%/hr to 20%/hr with vertical drainage condition using the reconstituted kaolinite sample. For the reconstituted kaolinite sample in CRS consolidation test, the recompression indices are insensitive to the strain rate. It is revealed that the coefficient of consolidation of reloading is affected by the developed pore pressure during unloading. Additionally, the test should be conducted in the positive pore pressure ratio range (3~15%) to obtain the reasonable coefficient of consolidation in the whole range(loading, unloading and reloading).