ANALYSIS OF EMPIRICAL COMPRESSION INDEX EQUATIONS USING THE VOID RATIO

Abstract

A new technique to assess the reliability of published compression index equations in terms of soil void ratio is presented. Several published equations pertaining to different soil types are examined in terms of accuracy and applicability. The new technique employs regression analysis to examine a substantial number of published compression data objectively. The traditional bias inherent in the selection of the number of data points and the range of void ratios for a given regression equation is eliminated. This was made possible by creating ranges for the compression index irrespective of the data set involved. This technique revealed that a strong correlation exists between the slopes and intercepts of all published equations. The slopes and intercepts of the newly developed regression equations were used to compare several well know published equations to assess accuracy and applicability. The proposed technique permits the examination of the authenticity of any published empirical equations relating to the compression index of clay to void ratio.