Comparative study on the compressibility and shear parameters of a clayey soil

Abstract

Oedometer and direct shear tests on one and the same soil were performed in several independent laboratories. The observed differences are analysed. In order to obtain homogeneous and reproducible samples, a clayey soil was re-molded and pre-consolidated. The handling of the soil specimens and detailed testing procedures were described and communicated to each participating laboratory in advance. The evaluated soil properties scatter in a relatively wide range. The analysis of the results shows that a large part of the scatter originates from the experimental conditions like specimen size and frictional forces on the boundaries. It can be concluded, that a better standardization and further unication of experimental methods would be advantageous.