Anisotropic three-dimensional behavior of a normally consolidated clay

Abstract

An experimental study is presented of the influence of the intermediate principal stress on the stress–strain, pore-pressure, and strength characteristics of a normally consolidated, natural anisotropic clay, San Francisco Bay Mud, under undrained conditions. Consolidated undrained triaxial compression tests and triaxial tests with independent control of all three principal stresses on cubical specimens were performed. The stress–strain behavior and the pore-pressure characteristics as well as the effective stress failure surface can be described as being cross-anisotropic. Key words : anisotropic soils, clays, deformation, shear strength, triaxial tests.