A Laboratory Study on the Shear Strength Behavior of Two Till Deposits from Northern Germany

Abstract

This paper presents the findings of a laboratory study of the shear strength and yielding behavior of two glacial till soil deposits from the area of Heiligenhafen, northern Germany. The tests were conducted on reconstituted forms of the soils using a triaxial cell capable of controlling the temperature of the specimens. The experimental program included a series of multi-stage consolidated drained (CD) compression triaxial tests at temperature ranges between 20 and 60 °C. For the temperature range considered in this study, a mild reduction in the effective friction angle of the two till soils of less than 1° was observed due to an increase in temperature from 20 to 60 °C. All the results were carefully assessed in view of the intrinsic soil behavior and fabric, and existing trends are highlighted. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the shearing properties of till deposits, and can contribute to the enhancement of existing soil constitutive models as well as the development of new models that are particularly suited to the behavior of glacial tills under elevated temperatures.