Two specimens of a soft clay from the SkS-Edeby test field in Sweden were reconsolidated t...

Two specimens of a soft clay from the SkS-Edeby test field in Sweden were reconsolidated to their initial in situ effective stress conditions and then sheared to failure. One specimen was loaded in axial compression (AC), while the other was failed by axial extension (AE). The normalized stress-strain and pore pressure strain data for both tests is shown in Fig (after Zimmie, 1973). Pertinent specimen data is given in the accompanying table, (a) On a p-q diagram, sketch the total, total - u0, and effective stress paths for both tests, (b) Determine Φ' and Φtotal in both compression and extension, (c) Calculate the Skempton pore pressure parameter A at failure for both tests, (d) Show in a sketch the predicted theoretical angles of the failure planes for the two specimens.

Assumed.

Note; Tests were conducted with a back pressure of 20 kPa. In situ pore water pressure is approximately 40 kPa.

FIGURE P13.61