Identification and Characterization of Collapsible Gravels
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical Engineering
Volume 120, Issue 3
Abstract
Collapsible coarse‐grained deposits present a particular challenge in both identification and characterization. This is particularly the case with collapsible gravels, where sampling is a practical impossibility. Six case histories involving collapsible gravels are presented that indicate the general characteristics of these materials and the methods that have been employed for evaluating their properties. Laboratory and field evidence suggests that the fine‐grained matrix is responsible for the collapse phenomenon and that as little as 5–20% fines may be sufficient to produce collapsible behavior. In situ tests that have shown some promise include plate‐load bearing tests and prebored pressuremeter tests conducted first under dry natural conditions and then following wetting. Experience clearly shows that coarsegrained soils in a geologically susceptible environment can collapse upon wetting even though they may have high densities and very high SPT blow counts.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
1.
Baker, A. A. (1964). “Geology of the Orem Quadrangle, Utah.” Map GQ‐241, Geologic Quadrangle Maps of the United States, U.S. Geological Survey, Washington, D.C.
2.
Banks, N. G. (1976). “Reconnaissance geologic map of the Mount Lemmon Quadrangle, Arizona.” Miscellaneous Field Studies Map MF‐747, U.S. Geological Survey, Washington, D.C.
3.
Beckwith, G. H., and Hansen, L. A. (1989). “Identification and characterization of the collapsing alluvial soils of the western United States.” Foundation engineering: Current principles and practices, Vol. 1, ASCE, New York, N.Y., 153–160.
4.
Bull, W. B. (1964). “Alluvial fans and near‐surface subsidence in Western Fresno County, California.” Professional Paper 437‐A, U.S. Geological Survey, Washington, D.C.
5.
Burnett, R. E., Moore, W. W., Smoots, V. A., and Liu, D. C. (1961). “Disc. of engineer‐geologist team investigates subsidence.” J. Pipeline Engrg. Div., ASCE, 87(1), Feb., 61–68.
6.
Callaghan, E., and Parker, R. L. (1961). “Geology of the Monroe Quadrangle, Utah.” Map GQ‐155, Geologic Quadrangle Maps of the United States, U.S. Geological Survey, Washington, D.C.
7.
Dudley, J. H. (1970). “Review of collapsing soils.” J. Soil Mech. and Found. Engrg. Div., ASCE, 96(3), 925–948.
8.
Ferguson, H. G., and Muller, S. W. (1949). “Structural geology of the Hawthorne and Tonopah Quadrangles, Nevada.” Professional Paper 216, U.S. Geological Survey, Washington, D.C.
9.
Gilluly, J. (1932). “Geology and ore deposits of the Stockton and Fairfield Quadrangles, Utah.” Professional Paper 173, U.S. Geological Survey, Washington, D.C.
10.
Hepworth, R. C., and Langfelder, J. (1988). “Settlement and repairs to cement plant in central Utah.” Proc. 2nd Intl. Conf. on Case Histories in Geotech. Engrg., University of Missouri, Rolla, St. Louis, Missouri, 1349–1354.
11.
Ho, C. L., Steadman, L. L., and Fragaszy, R. J. (1988). “Influence of fines on the collapse potential of compacted sandy soil.” Proc. 24th Symp. on Engrg. Geology and Soils Engrg., Washington State Univ., Pullman, Washington, held at Coeur D'Alene, Idaho, 57–72.
12.
Holtz, W. G., and Hilf, J. W. (1961). “Settlement of soil foundations due to saturation.” Proc. 5th Intl. Conf. on Soil Mech. and Foundation Engrg., Dunod, Paris, Vol. 1, 673–679.
13.
Pampeyan, E. H. (1989). “Geologic map of the Lynndyl 30‐ by 60‐minute Quadrangle, West Central Utah.” Map I‐1830, Miscellaneous Investigations Series, U.S. Geological Survey, Washington, D.C.
14.
Rollins, K. M., Williams, T., Bleazard, R., and Owens, R. L. (1992). “Identification, characterization, and mapping of collapsible soils in southwestern Utah.” Publication 21, Geology of Southwestern Utah, Utah Geological Association, Salt Lake City, Utah.
15.
Smith, T. D., and Deal, C. E. (1988). “Cracking studies at the sand‐H basin by the finite element method.” Proc. 2nd Intl. Conf. on Case Histories in Geotech. Engrg., University of Missouri, Rolla, St. Louis, Missouri, June, 451–455.
16.
Smith, T. D., and Deal, C. E. (1994). “Stability of cracked earth dams on collapsible debris fans.” Proc. 13th Intl. Conf. Soil Mech. and Foundation Engrg., Oxford and IBH Publishing Co., New Delhi, India.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Geotechnical Engineering
Volume 120 • Issue 3 • March 1994
Pages: 528 - 542
Copyright
Copyright © 1994 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Feb 2, 1993
Published online: Mar 1, 1994
Published in print: Mar 1994
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.