• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.99-105
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• 2018

Soils are generally classified as fine-grained or coarse-grained depending on the percentage content of the primary constituents. In reality, soils are actually made up of mixed and composite constituents. Soils primarily classified as fine-grained, still consists of a range of coarse particles as secondary constituents in between 0% to 50%. A laboratory scale model test was conducted to investigate the influence of coarse particles on the physical (e.g., density, water content, and void ratio) and mechanical (e.g., quick undrained shear strength) properties of primarily classified fine-grained cohesive soils. Pure kaolinite clay and sand-mixed kaolinite soil (e.g., sand content: 10%, 20%, and 30%) having various water contents (60%, 65%, and 70%) were preconsolidated at different stress levels (0, 13, 17.5, 22 kPa). The quick undrained shear strength properties were determined using the conventional Static Cone Penetration Test (SCPT) method and the new Fall Cone Test (FCT) method. The corresponding void ratios and densities with respect to the quick undrained shear strength were also observed. Correlations of the physical properties and quick undrained shear strengths derived from the SCPT and FCT were also established. Comparison of results showed a significant relationship between the two methods. From the results of FCT and SCPT, there is a decreasing trend of quick undrained shear strength, strength increase ratio ($S_u/P_o$), and void ratio (e) as the sand content is increased. The quick undrained shear strength generally decreases with increased water content. For the same water content, increasing the sand content resulted to a decrease in quick undrained shear strength due to reduced adhesion, and also, resulted to an increase in density. Similarly, it is observed that the change in density is distinctively noticeable at sand content greater than 20%. However, for sand content lower than 10%, there is minimal change in density with respect to water content. In general, the results showed a decrease in quick undrained shear strength for soils with higher amounts of sand content. Therefore, as the soil adhesion is reduced, the cone penetration resistances of the FCT and SCPT reflects internal friction and density of sand in the total shear strength.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.169-179
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• 2003

Undrained shear strength of clay deposit is one of the most important properties in the design of geotechnical structures. The use of piezocone test is rapidly growing due to its merit that can measure the in-situ undrained shear strength continuously with less error. The reliability of the shear strength from piezocone test depends upon the cone factor applied. Many researchers have suggested different ranges of values for the factors. This study performs to find out the validity of the suggested values in Korea and their charateristics related to the mechanical properties of clay. Piezocone tests were performed at the site of pilot project of ground improvement at Yangsan-Mulgeum Gyeongnam to investigate the charateristics of piezocone factors. The piezocone fators$(N_{kt}, N_{ke}, N_{\Delta u})$ based on the undrained shear strength from quick triaxial compression test are generally within the suggested range. And there appears considerable relations between undrained shear strength and $(N_{kt}, N_{ke}, N_{\Delta u})$ and between preconsolidation pressure and $(N_{kt}, N_{ke})$, while plasticity index, rigidity index and friction ratio do not show any relations with cone factors. The results also reveal that factor $(N_{\Delta u})$ shows higher reliability than factors $(N_{kt} and N_{ke})$, which show smaller standard deviation, breadth of change and scattering.