• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.45-50
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• 2005

Sand pile method, such as sand drain method and sand compaction pile method, has been popularly used as an improved method for soft clay grounds. The effect of accelerating consolidation of soft clay grounds has been evaluated with Barren's solution. The consolidation behavior of soft clay ground with sand piles strongly depends on both the nonlinear mechanical interaction between sand piles and surrounding clays and the degradation permeability of clays. In this paper a method of determining consolidation parameters of soft clay ground with sand drains by using Barren's solution was proposed through a series of numerical simulations. Through the method, the change in both volume compressibility and permeability during consolidation was reasonably evaluated.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.299-313
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• 2019

This research investigated the nonlinear compressibility, permeability, the yielding due to structural degradation and their effects on consolidation behavior of structured soft soils. Based on oedometer and hydraulic conductivity test results of natural and reconstituted soft clays, linear log (1+e) ~ $log\;{\sigma}^{\prime}$ and log (1+e) ~ $log\;k_v$ relationships were developed to capture the variations in compressibility and permeability, and the yield stress ratio (YSR) was introduced to characterize the soil structure of natural soft clay. Semi-analytical solutions for one-dimensional consolidation of soft clay under time-dependent loading incorporating the effects of soil nonlinearity and soil structure were proposed. The semi-analytical solutions were verified against field measurements of a well-documented test embankment and they can give better accuracy in prediction of excess pore pressure compared to the predictions using the existing analytical solutions. Additionally, parametric studies were conducted to analyze the effects of YSR, compression index (${\lambda}_r$ and ${\lambda}_c$), and permeability index (${\eta}_k$) on the consolidation behavior of structured soft clays. The magnitude of the difference between degree of consolidation based on excess pore pressure ($U_p$) and that based on strain ($U_s$) depends on YSR. The parameter ${\lambda}_c/{\eta}_k$ plays a significant role in predicting consolidation behavior.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.401-414
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• 2023

Organic clays are ideal habitat for flora and fauna. From a geotechnical perspective, organic clays are soft, weak, variable, heterogeneous and flocculated. Portland cement is a universally common stabiliser. However, some organic acids in soil inhibit full hydration and expose cementation products to rapid dissolution. This paper investigates scopes for use of C₃S cement to enable durable cementation. Prospects of using PP fibre alongside with C₃S cement, scopes for partial replacement of C₃S cement with a plant-based nanosilica and evolution of binders are then investigated. Binding mixtures here mimic the natural functions of rhizoliths, amorphous phases, and calcites. Testing sample population include natural and fibre-reinforced clays, compact mixes of clay - C₃S cement, clay - nanobiosilica, and clay, C₃S cement and nanobiosilica. Benefits and constraints of C₃S cement and fibres for retaining the naturally flocculated structure of organic clays are discussed. Nanobiosilica provides an opportunity to cut the C₃S content, and to transition of highly compressive organic clays into an engineered, open-structured medium with >0.5 MPa compressive strength across the strains spanning from peak to 1.5-times peak.

• Journal of Industrial Technology
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• v.30 no.A
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• pp.103-109
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• 2010

This research is to determine characteristics of undrained shear strength of remolded marine clay at Incheon and Busan, representing typical marine clays in Korea. Laboratory vane tests with remolded marine clays sampled from coasts at Incheon and Busan were performed to investigate the undrained shear strength of them. Test results were compared with the predicted values of undrained shear strength proposed by many researchers. It was found that measured results about undrained shear strength with water content was in good agreements with values proposed by Terzaghi empirical formula.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 1998.10a
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• pp.57-64
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• 1998

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.491-505
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• 2023

The practical usage of underground space and demand for vehicular tunnels necessitate the construction of non-circular wide rectangular tunnels. However, constructing large tunnels in soft clayey soil conditions with no ground improvement can lead to excessive ground deformations and collapse. In recent years, in situ ground improvement techniques such as jet grouting and deep cement mixing are often utilized to perform cement-stabilisation around the tunnel boundary to prevent large deformations and failure. This paper discusses the stability characteristics and failure behaviour of a wide rectangular tunnel in cement-treated soft clays. First, the plane strain finite element model is developed and validated with the results of centrifuge model tests available in the past literature. The critical tunnel support pressures computed from the numerical study are found to be in good agreement with those of centrifuge model tests. The influence of varying strength and thickness of improved soil surround, and cover depth are studied on the stability and failure modes of a rectangular tunnel. It is observed that the failure behaviour of the tunnel in improved soil surround depends on the ratio of the strength of improved soil surround to the strength of surrounding soil, i.e., q_ui/q_us, rather than just q_ui. For low q_ui/q_us ratios,the stability increases with the cover; however, for the high strength improved soil surrounds with q_ui >> q_us, the stability decreases with the cover. The failure chart, modified stability equation, and stability chart are also proposed as preliminary design guidelines for constructing rectangular tunnels in the improved soil surrounded by soft clays.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2009.03a
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• pp.715-719
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• 2009

In this study, a method to predict the consolidation behavior of soft clays and marine clays was developed by combining the equation of Terzaghi's 1-dimensional consolidation and CPTu dissipation. The special attention was given to the consolidation anisotropy due to the difference between 1-D consolidation and radial consolidation of CPTu dissipation. The analysis combining two equations enables direct application of CPTu results. And above all it doesn't require to sample undisturbed specimens and determine consolidation coefficient which is both costly and time consuming and often contains measuring error. It is also advantageous that CPTu test can be carried out any position and any depth. Clays typically have a greater horizontal permeability, $k_h$, than vertical permeability, $k_v$, and the coefficient of consolidation in the horizontal direction is generally higher than the vertical direction. Various data of horizontal and vertical consolidation coefficient ratio were collected and analyzed to develop and verify the method.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.49-58
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• 2019

The effect of microstructure on the permeability of two saturated marine clays was studied through a series of falling head permeability tests and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) tests. The key findings from this experimental study include the following results: (1) The permeability of undisturbed specimens is larger than that of reconstituted specimens at the same void ratio due to different soil fabrics, i.e., the pore size distributions (PSDs), even though they have the similar variation law in the permeability versus void ratio. (2) Different permeabilities of undisturbed and reconstituted specimens at the same void ratio are mainly caused by the difference in void ratio of macro-pores based on the MIP test results. (3) A high relevant relation between $C_k$ ($C_k$ is the permeability change index) and $e*_{10}$, can be found by normalizing the measured data both on undisturbed or reconstituted specimens. Hence, the reference void ratio $e*_{10}$, can be used as a reasonable parameter to identify the effect of soil fabric on the permeability of saturated soft clays.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2008.03a
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• pp.442-451
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• 2008

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.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2006.03a
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• pp.530-535
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• 2006

The Pusan clays are soft and thick deposits and in some places, they reach even up to 50-70m. So, the pile foundations are inevitable in almost all cases. But they are significantly expansive when the length of the pile reaches about 70m. In this study, a comprehensive parametric study has been carried out in order to reduce the pile length and number of piles required in turn the cost of the foundation for particular building. A belled shaft pile has been optimized for a typical soil profile using the PLAXIS (FEM code). These results have shown a new direction of the pile foundation in Pusan, Korea. The results including the variation of contact pressures at the bottom of the bell, optimization of the angle of the bell and height of the bell in terms of the diameter of the shaft. And also, the design curves have been generated so that they can be directly used for design of belled shaft foundations. However, the structural strength criterion is being checked in the concerned laboratory.