Interpretation of overconsolidation ratio from in situ tests in Recent clay deposits in Singapore and Malaysia

Abstract

The stress history as indicated by the profile of overconsolidation ratio (OCR) of a soil deposit is one of the most dominant factors that influence the engineering behaviour of the soil. Its assessment, which is traditionally based on the laboratory oedometer test, is not often satisfactory. The problem arises from inevitable sample disturbance and the high cost of a detailed investigation. These difficulties can be overcome by the use of in situ tests. The field vane test, the piezocone test, and the dilatometer test are three such methods that provide indirect means for the estimation of the OCR for clay deposits. A number of empirical correlations are available for this purpose. Calibration of these correlations against results of site investigation in Singapore and Malaysian marine clays reveals the usefulness of these test methods in profiling the OCR for Recent clay deposits. Key words: clay, in situ test, overconsolidation ratio, preconsolidation pressure, stress history.