One-dimensional consolidation testing of soft clay from Bothkennar

The one-dimensional consolidation behaviour of Bothkennar clay has been examined by testing high quality intact and reconstituted specimens recovered using the Laval sampler. The collaborative test programme consisted of incremental load, constant rate of strain, and restricted flow tests. During the test programme the variation of yield stress with depth, the effect of strain rate on the observed yield stress, the creep behaviour and the variability in soil compressibility were investigated. It was noted that the yield stress is influenced by the strain rate, with faster rates resulting in higher values of yield stress. When this was taken into account, it was found that specimens taken from a single depth showed reasonably consistent behaviour independent of the type of test. Creep occurred in the incremental load tests, with the maximum rate just after yield, indicating a clear linkage between creep and the structural breakdown at yield. The vertical permeability of the specimens was determined by flow...