Transformations and correlations among some clay parameters — the global database

Abstract

This study compiles a large database of 10 clay parameters (labeled as CLAY/10/7490) from 251 studies, covering clay data from 30 regions or countries worldwide. Hence, the range of data covered by this “global” database is broader than that underlying the calibration of existing transformation models in the literature. These transformation models relate test measurements (e.g., cone tip resistance) to appropriate design parameters (e.g., undrained shear strength). The correlation behaviours exhibited by the database among the 10 clay parameters are consistent with those exhibited by existing transformation models in the literature. The biases and transformation uncertainties of these transformation models with respect to the global database are calibrated. It is found that more recent transformation models are less biased and that the transformation uncertainties are typically fairly large. Such large transformation uncertainties are further reduced by incorporating secondary input parameters, such as plasticity index or sensitivity. In a companion paper written by the same authors, a 10-dimensional multivariate probability distribution coupling these clay parameters is constructed from CLAY/10/7490 and a useful application involving updating the entire bivariate probability distribution of two design parameters from three separate measurements is presented.