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& SR~NIVASA
MURTHY, B. R. (1986). GCotechnique 36, No. I, 27-32
A critical reappraisal
T. S. NAGARAJ*
of compression
and B. R. SRINIVASA
RE-EXAMINATION
OF MICROMODEL
Nagaraj
& Srinivasa
Murthy
(1983)
have
shown
that
the unique
d-(R - A) relationship
(Sridharan
& Jayadeva, 1982) derived from the
Gouy-Chapman
diffuse double-layer theory provides the basis to generalize the compressibility
behaviour
of normally
consolidated
saturated
uncemented fine-grained soils. On the basis of the
specific discussions of Bolt (Bolt & Bruggenwert,
1976) in the selection
of physico-chemical
environmental
factors, an electrolyte concentration of n = 0.01 M and a valency of u = 1.5 were
considered. To ensure the generality of the compressibility equation, further investigations
have
been carried out, by considering the variation in
the values of the physico-chemical
environmental
factors. For this the value of n is varied from
0.007 to 0.013 and that of Y is chosen as 1 and 2.
Using the Gouy-Chapman
diffuse double-layer
theory and a method of computation
proposed
by Sridharan & Jayadeva (1982), the d-(R - A)
relationships
have been computed for the three
clays (for properties of the clays see the inset table
of Fig. 1) for the defined combinations
of n and u.
Fig. 1 indicates the spatial shift of all the dlog (R - A) plots.
Wroth (1979), on the basis of results of earlier
investigations
and critical state concepts,
has
indicated that all fine-grained soils equilibrate to
their respective liquid limit under an effective
consolidation
pressure of about 6.3 kPa. Now
assuming R - A at the liquid limit to be 6.3 kPa,
the values of the average half-space distance d, at
the liquid limit can be obtained from Fig. 1 for all
the d-log (R - A) plots.
From the void ratio, specific surface and halfspace distance relationship
(Bolt, 1956; Nagaraj
8~ Jayadeva, 1981) for saturated soils
compressibility;
consolidation;
INTRODUCTION
The compressibility
of soil is often represented by
the compression
index C, which is the slope of
the e-log,,p
plot. To have an independent
method of estimation, many investigators
in the
past have empirically
linked the compression
index with the inferential and/or state parameters
of the soil (Skempton,
1944; Terzaghi & Peck,
1948; Nishida, 1956; Hough, 1957; Oswald, 1980;
Koppula, 1981). Since the state of soil in nature is
varying and complex, a unique C, equation for all
soil states is not tenable. Further the empirical C,
equations which have no scientific basis can be
used only in specific soil states.
In the present investigation
the known empirical compression
index equations have been critically examined to identify their possible scientific
basis. It is attempted
further to define the soil
Discussion
on this Paper closes on 1 July
further details see inside back cover.
* Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.
MURTHY*
KEYWORDS:
soil properties.
index equations
e/eL = dJd,
1986. For
(1)
28
MURTHY
loo=uz
ti
a,SO?
J?
$SO8
LOL
m
I
20O-
d/d,
10
20
50
100
e/e,
1-21-0.3682 log,,,
(R -A)
200
osmotic repulsive
pressurep: kPa
p and (e/e&log,,
(R - A)
(2)
p relationship
(3)
(4)
de
d(log,,
P)
REAPPRAISAL
OF COMPRESSION
INDEX
SOII
type
clay
2 Whangamarmo
bell
4 Black
Consolidation
pressure
equation
soil
Hvorslev
(1958)
(1937)
97.3
This work
78.0
Sowers
(1964)
69.0
Wahls
& Godoy
59.0
Leonards
& Ramalah
56.4
46 .?
Jennings
& Burland
45.3
This
36.2
Jennings
Hvorslev
d(log p)
(1964)
(19591
(1962)
(1937)
work
de
Cc = - d(log p)
or
de
= 0,2343e,
- d(log PI
& Burland
(1962)
(5)
= 0.39e
equation
126 0
p Plots
eL
Differentiating
This work
Newland
& Aliely
(3)
de
- = -0.2343
c,=
159.3
136.0
kPa
clay
coilon
Reference
2L
1 SAiLscu
3 Llttle
29
EQUATIONS
(4)
= 0.39~~ X
10(0~433-0.168
Io~P)
or
0.434 $
= -0.168
d(log p)
C c = 0.543e,
0.2
20
50
Consolldatvx
100
J
500
200
pressure
x 10-1680gP
78.0
69.0
59.0
Sowers (19641
Wahls & Godoy (1964)
Leonards
& Fiamalah
(1959)
8 Silty clay
9 Vienna
clay
10 Red solI
56.4
Jennmgs
46.7
45.3
Hvorslev
(1937)
This work
11
36.2
Jennmgs
Silty
sand
1000
p. kPa
(7)
& Burland
& Burland
(19621
(19621
30
At p = 150 kPa, the middle value in the logarithmic scale of the pressure range considered, equation (7) reduces to equation (5). This indicates
that the two modes of linearization
of the e-p
relationship
result in two C, equations in which
one is independent
of the effective stress and the
other is dependent on the effective stress.
CRITICAL
EVALUATION
C, EQUATIONS
OF EMPIRICAL
Terzaghi-Peck equation
Terzaghi and Peck (1948) modified equation (8)
so that it could be applied to the normally loaded
clays of low to moderate sensitivity. The modified
equation is of the form
c, = O.o09(w, - 10)
Observing the e-log p curve of a moderately sensitive clay it is clear that up to the point of breaking of the cementation
bonds represented by the
Reference
Regions
From
c, = 0407(w,
- 10)
Skempton
(1944)
c, = 04309(w, - 10)
Terzaghi &
Peck (1948)
c, = 0.01 W
Koppula
c, = 0~0115w
Bowles (1979)
C,
C,
C,
c,
Nishida (1956)
Nishida (1956)
Nishida (1956)
Bowles (1979)
1,15(e
1,15(e
0.54(e,
0.75(e,
- eo)
- 0.35)
- 0.35)
- 0.50)
(1981)
- 9)
Bowles (1979)
C, = 1.21 + l.O55(e,
- 1.87)
Bowles (1979)
C, = 0,3O(e, - 0.27)
Hough.(1957)
C, = 0.208(e, + 0.0083)
c, = 0.15qe, + 0.0107)
c, = 0.5(.J,/JdZ)12
Bowles (1979)
Bowles (1979)
Oswald (1980)
C, = OW46(w,
and conditions
of applicability
From this work
reference
Remoulded
clays
Normally
consolidated,
moderately
sensitive,
Chicago and
Alberta clays
Organic silt
and clays
All clays
All clays
Natural soils
Soils with low
plasticity
Brazilian
clays
Motley clays
from SBo
Paul0 city
Inorganic
silty sandsilty clay
Chicago clays
All clays
Soil systems
of all complexities and types
Normally
Moderately
consolidated,
sensitive,
S, < 1.5
S, < 5
Normally
consolidated,
S, < 1.5
Normally
consolidated,
S, < 1.5
Normally consolidated,
Normally consolidated,
Normally consolidated,
Moderately
sensitive, S,
Moderately
Highly
S,
S,
S,
<
< 1.5
< 1.5
< 1.5
5
overconsolidated
sensitive, S, > 5
Moderately
overconsolidated
Moderately
overconsolidated
Not applicable to any condition
compression
index; e, , initial or in situ void ratio; wL, liquid limit water content; w, , natural
dry density of soil at which C, is required; y,, unit weight of water; S,, sensitivity of the clay.
c,,
yd ,
(9)
Equation
=
=
=
=
(8)
water content;
REAPPRAISAL
OF COMPRESSION
pseudo-preconsolidation
pressure
the
nonparticulate behaviour results in a low compressibility. On breaking the cementation
bonds, from
this pseudo-equilibrium
state the soil collapses on
to the normally consolidated
state resulting in a
steeper slope than that given by Skemptons
equation. This is correctly reflected in the higher
value of C, in equation (9).
Compression index equations involving
natural water contents
There are empirical C, equations which involve
the natural water content as a parameter. Table 1
indicates
two such equations,
one valid for
Chicago clays (Koppula, 1981) and the other for
organic silt and clay (Bowles, 1979).
For a saturated soil with a specific gravity of
soil solids of 2.62.8, equation (6) can be written
as
c, = 0.01 W
(10)
(11)
log
c
(3
P
where p and p are the effective pressures corresponding to the void ratios e and e, respectively.
Then equation (11) can be written as
C, = -0.269e, log
!!
0P
INDEX
saturated
(13)
where e, is the natural void ratio. Another equation, similar to equation (13) proposed for low
plastic soils is
C, = 0.75(e, - 0.5)
(14)
(15)
(16)
( >
(12)
31
EQUATIONS
(17)
A comparison
of this equation with equation (6)
indicates a wide variation in C, values at the corresponding void ratios. The reason for this varia-
32
NAGARAJ
A re-examination
of the micromodel
to define
the compressibility
of normally consolidated saturated uncemented fine-grained soils has indicated
that the (e/e,HR
- A) relationship
is more
general and unique than the d4R - A) relationship. The parameter
eL inherently
accounts for
the variation in physico-chemical
environment
in
addition to the specific surface of the soil.
Two compatible compression
index equations,
i.e. C, = 0.2343~~~ and C, = 0,39e, have been
rationally derived and are applicable to normally
consolidated
saturated
uncemented
fine-grained
soils.
The critical reappraisal
of current empirical
compression
index equations has indicated their
possible scientific basis and the soil state to which
they are applicable.
REFERENCES
Bolt, G. H. & Bruggenwert,
M. G. M. (1976). Soil chemistry: A, basic elements. New York: Elsevier.
Bowles, J. W. (1979). Physical and geotechnical properties ofsoils. New York: McGraw Hill.
Hough, B. K. (1957). Basic soil engineering. New York:
Ronald.
Hvorslev, J. M. (1937). Physical properties of remoulded
cohesive soils. Translation
69-5, USAEWES, Vicksburg.
Jennings, J. E. B. & Burland, J. B. (1962). Limitations to