Consolidation, triaxial shear-strength, and index-property characteristics of organic-rich sediment from the Peru continental margin: results from Leg 112

Abstract

Reveals unusually high water content, Atterberg limits, degree of overconsolidation, compressibility, and shear strength. The sediment has unusually low density and grain specific gravity. Atterberg limits, grain specific gravity, compressibility, and apparent excess maximum past stress increase linearly with organic-carbon content, which also correlates positively with diatom content. Particularly high relative shear strengths occur near 20 mbsf. This "crustlike' behavior is probably produced by early diagenesis within the upper 20 m, and is complemented by interlocking of diatoms. -from Authors