• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.349-359
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• 2011

The consolidation behavior of soft clay is controlled mainly by its compressibility and deformation characteristics. Soil permeability depends on various soil characteristics, including the soil type and anisotropy. The coefficient of permeability of soft clay is determined by using a laboratory test (the Oedometer test) or a piezocone test. The latter test is useful for estimating the permeability characteristics from $c_h$ and $k_h$ by performing an excess pore-pressure dissipation test. This study seeks to validate an existing theoretical formula in applying it to marine clay, and to assess the relation between $k_h/k_c$ and the mechanical properties of soft clay. Piezocone tests and laboratory tests were performed using sediment from the Yellow Sea and from the South Sea near Korea. We compared $k_h/k_v$ values obtained using the piezocone test and using laboratory consolidation tests. The obtained values are similar to the values obtained by Jamiolkowski et al. (M application); therefore, the latter values are recommended to be used as $k_h/k_v$.