Undrained anisotropy ofK0-consolidated silt

Abstract

Direct measurements of the initial shear strength and yielding anisotropy of a dense, K0-consolidated silt are described and interpreted within a bounding-surface framework. The experiments were performed using the Imperial College large hollow cylinder apparatus, in which samples were sheared undrained with a range of orientations, α, of the major principal stress, σ1, following initial K0consolidation. The interpretation is aided by data from oedometer and triaxial stress path tests. Strongly anisotropic stiffness, yielding, undrained strength, and mobilized angle of shearing resistance, ϕ', characteristics are revealed. The effects of drained and undrained stress changes applied to the samples after K0consolidation are also described.Key words: anisotropy, hollow cylinder, K0consolidation, silt, bounding surface.