Abstract
Glacial tills are highly compressible soils composed of loosely cemented sandy silt particles. Their role, for instance, as initial filler materials in geo-technical projects along temperate glacier regions warrant a systematic evaluation of their compressive characteristics. As such, we carry out a series of one-dimensional compression tests on re-compacted glacial till samples obtained from Tianmo Gully, Tibet, with the aims of evaluating their compressive behavior under controlled initial stress conditions. The yield stress was determined from the void ratio versus consolidation pressure (e-log σv) planes. Its compression and swelling behaviors were observed during the primary and secondary compressions of the consolidation tests. From the compression curves, a correlation can be found between the consolidation stress and the void index. In addition, we find that the compression curves of glacial tills collapse into a single curve when normalized by the compression index. The experimental results in this study provide a basic understanding of the compression characteristics of the glacial tills in Tibet, China.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Abbreviations
- C u :
-
Uniformity coefficient
- C c :
-
Coefficient of curvature, Compression index
- C α :
-
Coefficient of secondary compression
- d 10 :
-
Effective diameter
- d 30 :
-
Continuous diameter
- d 50 :
-
Average diameter
- d 60 :
-
Constrained diameter
- e :
-
Void ratio
- e c :
-
After consolidation void ratio
- e 100 :
-
Void ratio on intrinsic compression under vertical consolidation stress 100 kPa
- e 1000 :
-
Void ratio on intrinsic compression under vertical consolidation stress 1000 kPa
- G s :
-
Specific gravity
- I p :
-
Plastic index
- I v :
-
Void index
- S r :
-
Degree of saturation
- w :
-
Water content
- W L :
-
Liquid limit
- W p :
-
Plastic limit
- ρ d :
-
Dry density
- σ v :
-
Compression pressure
- σ′ v :
-
Effective compression pressure
- σ y :
-
Yield stress
References
Ai-Shamranl MA (1998) Application of the Ca/Cc concept to secondary compression of Sabkha soils. Canadian Geotechnical Journal 35(1): 15–26. https://doi.org/10.1139/t97-053.
Allred BJ (2000) Survey of Fractured glacial till geotechnical characteristics: hydraulic conductivity, consolidation, and shear strength. Ohio Journal of Science 100(3): 63–72. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2907.2000.00062.x
Altuhafi FN, Coop MR (2011) Change to particle characteristics associated with the compression of sands. Géotechnique 61(6): 459–471. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.9.P.114
Arularajah A, Bo MW (2008) Characteristics of Singapore marine clay at changgi. Geotechnical and Geological Engineering 26(4): 431–441. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-008-9179-2
ASTM (2006) Standard practice for classification of soils for engineering purposes (Unified Soil Classification System). ASTM standard D2487. American Society for Testing and Materials, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. https://doi.org/10.1520/D2487-06
Baille W, Tripathy S, Schanz T (2010) Swelling pressure and one-dimensional compressibility behaviour of bentonite at large pressure. Applied Clay Science 48(3): 324–333. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2010.01.002
Benn DI, Evans DJA (2010) Glaciers and Glaciation. Arnold, London. pp 363–400.
Budhu M (2008) Soil mechanics and foundations. John Wiley and Sons. pp 207–242.
Bufferfield R, Baligh F (1996) A new evaluation of loading cycles in an oedometer. Geotechnique 46(3): 547–553. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.1996.46.3.547
Burland JB (1990) On the compressibility and shear strength of natural clays. Géotechnique 40(3): 329–378. https://doi.org/10.1980/geot.1990.40.3.329
British Standards Institution (BSI) (1990) Methods of test for soils for civil engineering purposes. BSI 1377, London.
Cao LF, Peaker S, Ahmad S (2015) Engineering characteristic of glacial tills in GTA. 68th Canadian Geotechnical Conference, Quebec.
Casagrande A (1936) Characteristics of cohesionless soils affecting the stability of slopes and earth fills. Journal Boston Society of Civil Engineers 23(1): 13–32.
Cerato AB, Lutenegger AJ (2004) Determining intrinsic compressibility of fine-grained soils. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering 130(8): 872–877. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(2004)130:8(872)
Chai JC, Shen SL, Hino T (2017) Characteristics of clay deposits in Saga Plain, Japan. Geotechnical Engineering 170(6): 548–558. https://doi.org/10.1680/jgeen.16.00197
Chiu CF, Ng CWW (2014) Relationships between chemical weathering indices and physical and mechanical properties of decomposed granite. Engineering Geology 179(10): 76–89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2014.06.021
Choi CE, Cui YF, Au KYK, et al. (2018) Case study: effects of a Partial-Debris dam on riverbank erosion in the Parlung Tsangpo river, China. Water 10(3): 3–12. https://doi.org/10.3390/w10030250
Cui ZJ (2013) Diamicton and environment. Hebei: Science and Technology Press. 117–127. (in Chinese)
Deng M F, Chen N S, Liu M (2017) Meteorological factors driving glacial till variation and the associated periglacial debris flows in Tianmo Valley, South-eastern Tibetan Plateau. Nature Hazards and Earth System Science 17(3): 345–356. https://doi.org/10.5194/nhes-17-345-2017
Diaz-Rodoriguez JA, Martinez-Vasqiuez JJ (2008) One-dimensional consolidation testing of lacustrine soil from Mexico City. Proceedings of the 4th International Symposium on Deformation6 Characteristics of Geomaterials, At Atlanta, Georgia, USA. https://doi.org/10.13140/2.1.4764.3526
Dreimanis A (1989) Tills: their genetic terminology and classification. Genetic Classification of Glacigenic Deposits. Balkema, Rotterdam. pp 17–84.
Eide O, Holmberg S (1972) Test fills to failure on the soft Bangkok clay. Proceedings, ASCE Specially Conference on Soil Mechanics and Foundations, Lafayette Ind. pp 159–180.
Evans DJA, Phillips ER, Hiemstra JF, et al. (2006) Subglacial till: formation, sedimentary characteristics and classification. Earth Science Reviews 78(1): 115–176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2006.04.001
Gao YB, Zhu HH, Ye GB, et al. (2004) The investigation of the coefficient of secondary compression Cα in oedometer tests. Chinese Journal of Geotechnical Engineering 26(4): 459–463. (In Chinese) https://doi.org/10.3321/j.issn:1000-4548.2004.04.006.
Gasparre A, Coop MR (2008) Quantification of the effects of structures on the compression of a stiff clay. Canadian Geotechnical Journal 45(9): 1324–1334. https://doi.org/10.1139/T08-052
Ge YG, Cui P, Su FH, et al. (2014) Case history of the disastrous debris flows of Tianmo watershed in Bomi County, Tibet, China: some mitigation suggestions. Journal of Mountain Science 11(5): 1253–1265. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-014-2579-2
Han Z, Vanapalli SK (2016) Modeling the mechanical properties of a compacted glacial till. Indian Geotechnical Journal 46(3): 261–271. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40098-016-0183-9
Han Z, Vanapalli SK, Zehra NK (2016) Modeling behavior of friction pile in compacted glacial till. International Journal of Geomechanics 16(6):D4016009. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000659
Hong ZS, Bian X, Cui YJ, et al. (2013) Effect of initial water content on undrained shear behaviour of reconstituted clays. Géotechnique 63(6): 441–450. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.11.P.114
Jaap JM, Menzies J, Rose J (2003) Subglacial till: the deformation glacier bed. Quaternary Science Reviews 22(15): 1659–1685. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0277-3791(03)00141-0
Lawson DE (1981) Sedimentological Characteristics and Classification of Depositional Processes and Deposits in the Glacial Environment. Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory. Hanover, New Hampshire, U.S.A. pp 1–15.
Liang YK, Cao LF, Liu JY, et al. (2019) Numerical simulation of mechanical response of glacial tills under biaxial compression with the DEM. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment 78(3): 1575–1588. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-018-1229-2
Liu MD, Zhuang ZL, Horpibulsuk S (2013) Estimation of the compression behaviour of reconstituted clays. Engineering Geology 167: 84–94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2013.10.015
Low HE, Phoon KK, Tan TS, et al. (2008) Effect of soil microstructure on the compressibility of natural Singapore marine clay. Canadian Geotechnical Journal 45(2): 161–176. https://doi.org/10.1139/T07-075
Manzari M, Drevininkas A, Olshansky D, et al. (2014) Behavioral modeling of Toronto glacial soils and implementation in numerical modeling. 67th Canadian Geotechnical Conference, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Margason E, Arango I (1972) Sand drain performance on a San Franciso Bay Mud site. Proceedings, ASCE Specially Conference on Soil Mechanics and Foundation 1: 181–200.
Matchala S, Lee KP, Jong CI (2008) Compressibility characteristics of Korean marine clay. Marine Georesources and Geotechnology 26(2): 111–127. https://doi.org/10.1080/10641190802022478
Mesri G (1973) Coefficient of secondary compression. Journal of the Soil Mechanics and Foundations Division 99(1): 123–137. https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-4898(73)90029-3
Mesri G, Choi YK (1984) Discussion of “time effects on the stress-strain behaviours of natural soft clays”. Géotechnique 34(3): 439–442.
Mesri G, Godlewski PM (1977) Time-and stress-compressibility interrelationship. Journal of Geotechnical Engineering Division 103(5): 417–430. https://doi.org/10.1016/0148-9062(77)91005-1
Mesri G, Vardhanabhuti B (2009) Compression of granular materials. Canadian Geotechnical Journal 46(4): 369–392. https://doi.org/10.1139/T08-123
Mesri G, Rokhsar A, Bohor BE (1975) Composition and compressibility of typical samples of Mexico City clay. Géotechnique 25(3): 527–554. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.1975.25.3.527
Mesri G, Stark TD, Ajlouni MA, et al. (1997) Secondary compression of peat with or without surcharging. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering 123(5): 411–420. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)1090-0241(1997)123:5(411)
Moran DE (1958) Study of deep soil stabilization by vertical sand drains. Bureau of yards and docks, Dept of the Navy, Washington D C, United States.
Nagaraj TS, Srinivasa Murthy BR (1983) Rationalization of Skemption’s compressibility equation. Géotechnique 33(4): 433–443. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.1983.33.433
Ng CWW, Akinniyi DB, Zhou C, et al. (2019) Comparisons of weathered lateritic, granitic and volcanic soils: Compressibility and shear strength. Engineering Geology 249: 235–240. https://doi.org/10.1016/l.enggeo.2018.12.029
Ng CWW, Li Q, Liu GB (2011) Characteristics of one-dimensional compressibility of Shanghai clay. Chinese Journal of Geotechnical Engineering 33(4): 630–636. (In Chinese) https://doi.org/10.1002/art.1780270210
Oh WT, Vanapalli SK (2010) Influence of rain infiltration on the stability of compacted soil slopes. Computers and Geotechnics 37(5): 649–657. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2010.04.003
Olson RE, Mesri AM (1970) Mechanisms controlling compressibility of clays. Journal of Soil Mechanics and Foundations Division, Proceeding of ASCE 96(6): 1863–1878.
Pestana JM, Whittle AJ (1995) A compression model for cohesionless soils. Géotechnique 45(4): 311–631. https://doi.org/10.1016/0148-9062(96)89952-9
Polidori E (2003) Proposal for a new plasticity chart. Géotechnique 53(4): 397–406. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.2003.53.4.397
Polidori E (2007) Relationship between the atterberg limits and clay content. Soils and Foundations 47(5): 887–896. https://doi.org/10.3208/sandf.47.887
Rocchi I, Coop MR (2015) The effects of weathering on the physical and mechanical properties of a granitic saprolite. Géotechnique 65(6): 482–493. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.14.P.177
Seethalakshmi P, Ajanta S (2018) Effects of successive impact loading on compactability microstructure, and compressibility behavior of Micaceous sand. Transportation Infrastructure Geotechnology 5(2): 114–128. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40515-018-0052-3
Shaw J (1979) Genesis of the Sveg tills and Rogen moraines of central Sweden: a model of basal melt out. Boreas 8(4): 409–426. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1502-3885.1979.tb00437.x
Shi YF, Cui ZJ, Li JJ (1989) Quaternary glacial and environmental problems in Eastern China. Beijing: Science Press. pp 391–400. (In Chinese)
Sridharan A, Nagaraj HB (2000) Compressibility behavior of remoulded, fine-grained soils and correlation with index properties. Canadian Geotechnical Journal 37(3): 712–722. https://doi.org/10.1139/t99-128
Suneel M, Park LK, Im JC (2008) Compressibility characteristics of Korean moraine clay. Marine Georesources and Geotechnology 26(2): 111–127. https://doi.org/10.1080/10641190802022478
Tanaka H, Locat J, Shibuya S, et al. (2000) Characterization of Singapore, Bangkok, and Ariake clays. Canadian Geotechnical Journal 38(2): 378–400. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-38-2-378
Terzaghi K, Peck RB, Mesri G (1996) Soil mechanics in engineering practice. John Wiley and Sons Publication. p 110.
Yu ZS, Deqing ZG, LuoBu CR, et al. (2009) Preliminary analysis about the cause of “9.4” debris flow disaster in Tianmo gully, Bomi, Tibet. The Chinese Journal of Geological Hazard and control 20(1): 6–10. (In Chinese). https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1003-8035.2009.01.002
Zeng LL, Hong ZS, Cui YJ (2015) Determining the virgin compression lines of reconstituted clays at different initial water contents. Canadian Geotechnical Journal 52(9): 1408–1415. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2014-0172
Zhan LT (2003) Field and laboratory study of an unsaturated expansive soil associated with rain-induced slope instability. PhD thesis, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, china. p 129.
Zhang JY (1983) Classification of fine grained soil in permafrost area on Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Professional Papers on Permafrost Studies of Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. p 54. (In Chinese)
Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge the financial support from the Key Research Program of Frontier Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant no. QYZDB-SSW-DQC010) and the Youth Innovation Promotion Association, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Chen, Ll., Zhou, G.G.D., Mu, Qy. et al. Compression characteristics of saturated re-compacted glacial tills in Tianmo Gully of Tibet, China. J. Mt. Sci. 16, 1661–1674 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-018-5313-7
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-018-5313-7