Behaviour of MH silts with varying plasticity indices

Abstract

It is important for geotechnical engineers to understand the intrinsic and mechanical behaviour of silt as it is presently recognised that there exist gaps in understanding its fundamental behaviour. The behaviour of kaolin samples with varying clay and silt contents was investigated in the present study. This study characterised the samples by their corresponding ranges of plasticity index (P I) – namely, P I ≤ 13% and P I > 13%. This outcome is achieved by interpreting the results of Atterberg limit tests, particle size analysis, isotropically consolidated undrained triaxial tests and oedometer tests carried out on the kaolin samples with P I between 7 and 16%. The results obtained in this study show good reliability when compared to 65 sets of past significant experimental studies derived from 33 established past research papers.