Abstract
In this paper, an experimental work carried out on Pisa clay is described. Undisturbed samples are subjected to stress paths analogous to those followed by soil elements adjacent to excavations. The stress paths adopted in the experimental programme derive from a simplified analysis of a propped retaining wall, using limit equilibrium and allowing, through an approximate procedure, for wall flexibility and for seepage around the wall. Such stress paths are corroborated by in situ measurements and numerical results taken from the literature. It comes out that the range of stress path directions for soil elements close to an excavation can be quite wide. The experimental results are analysed in terms of secant shear stiffness and compared to results obtained from bender element measurements. Also, a generalised definition of stiffness is used, which accounts for both spherical and deviatoric strain components. Results obtained at small strains are compared with predictions of cross-anisotropic elasticity.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Amorosi A., Callisto L. & Rampello S. (1999). Observed behaviour of reconstituted clay under stress paths typical of excavations. In: M. Jamiolkowski, R. Lancellotta & D. Lo Presti (eds.) 2nd Int. Symp. on pre-failure Deformation Characteristics of Geomaterials. Torino, Balkema, 1, 35–42.
Atkinson J.H., Richardson D. & Stallebrass S.E. (1990). Effect of recent stress history on the stiffness of overconsolidated soil. Géotechnique 40, No. 3, 531–540.
Bishop A. W. & Wesley L. D. (1975). A hydraulic triaxial apparatus for controlled stress path testing. Géotechnique 25, No 4, 657–670.
Burland, J.B. (1989). Ninth Bjerrum Memorial Lecture: “Small is beautiful” — the stiffness of soils at small strains. Canadian Geotechnical Journal 26, No. 4, 499–516.
Callisto L. & Calabresi G. (1998). Mechanical behaviour of a natural soft clay. Gèotechnique 48, No. 4, 495–513.
Callisto L., Gajo, A. & Muir Wood, D. (2002). Simulation of triaxial and true triaxial tests on natural and reconstituted Pisa clay. Gèotechnique 52, No. 9, 649–666.
Calabresi G., Callisto L. & Rampello, S. (2002). Il ruolo delle pressioni interstiziali nella previsione del comportamento di uno scavo profondo. Atti XXI Convegno Nazionale di Geotecnica — L’Aquila, 273–282.
Dyvik, R. & Madshus, C. (1985). Laboratory measurements of Gmax using bender elements. Proc. of the ASCE Annual Convention: advances in the art of testing soils under cyclic conditions. Detroit:186–196.
Hashash Youssef M. A. & Whittle A. J., (2002). Mechanisms of load transfer and arching for braced excavations in clay. Journal of Géotechnical Engineering and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 128, No. 3, 187–197.
Graham J. & Houlsby G. T. (1983). Anisotropic elasticity of a natural clay. Géotechnique 33, No 2, 165–180.
Jardine R.J. (1992). Some observations on the kinematic nature of soil stiffness. Soils and Foundation 32, No. 2, 111–124.
La Rochelle P., Sarrailh J., Tavenas F., Roy M. & Leroueil S. (1981). Causes of sampling disturbance and design of a new sampler for sensitive soils. Canadian Geotechical Journal 18, 52–66.
Muir Wood D. (1984). Choice of models for Geotechnical Predictions. In: Mechanics of Engineering materials, edited by C. S. Desai and R. H. Gallagher, John Wiley & sons Ltd, Chapter 12, 633–654.
Muir Wood D. (2004). Geotechnical modelling. Spon Press.
Ng C.W.W. (1999). Stress paths in relation to deep excavations, Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, 125, No. 5, 357–363.
Potts D.M. & Fourie A. B., (1984). The behaviour of a propped retaining wall: results of a numerical experiment. Géotechnique 34, No. 3, 383–404.
Rampello S. & Callisto L. (1998). A study on the subsoil of the Tower of Pisa based on results from standard and high-quality samples. Canadian Geotechnical Journal 35, No. 6, 1074–1092.
Smith P.R., Jardine R.J. & Hight D.W. (1992). The yielding of Bothkennar clay. Géotechnique 42, No. 2, 257–274.
Tedd P., Chard B. M., Charles J. A., Symons I. F. (1984). Behaviour of a propped embedded retaining wall in stiff clay at Bell Common Tunnel, Géotechnique 34, No. 4, 513–532.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2007 Springer
About this paper
Cite this paper
Fortuna, S., Callisto, L., Rampello, S. (2007). Small Strain Stiffness of a Soft Clay Along Stress Paths Typical of Excavations. In: Ling, H.I., Callisto, L., Leshchinsky, D., Koseki, J. (eds) Soil Stress-Strain Behavior: Measurement, Modeling and Analysis. Solid Mechanics and Its Applications, vol 146. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-6146-2_14
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-6146-2_14
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-1-4020-6145-5
Online ISBN: 978-1-4020-6146-2
eBook Packages: Physics and AstronomyPhysics and Astronomy (R0)