Relationship between Shear-Wave Velocity and Undrained Shear Strength of Peat
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 146, Issue 7
Abstract
A significant challenge for engineers working with peat is the estimation of the undrained shear strength (). This is particularly the case for shallow, slightly overconsolidated peats found on natural hillsides and at the toe of embankments. Existing laboratory and in situ techniques may not be suitable due to issues such as access to remote areas, the resolution and accuracy of measuring equipment, sampling disturbance effects, and the influence of fibers on the measured results. It is logical to attempt to correlate with shear-wave velocity () because both parameters depend on the same set of fundamental factors. A lightweight portable probe has been developed that can be used to resolve the low values in peat reliably and repeatably. It was not possible to determine directly from the measurements. However, a strong correlation was found between normalized (by water content, ) and (derived from direct simple shear tests). A single operator can collect a continuous profile of and simultaneously and therefore derive a one-dimensional (1D) profile for the full peat thickness. Some limitations in the use of the derived empirical equations are outlined.
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Data Availability Statement
All of the laboratory testing and field data generated during this study are available from the corresponding author by request.
Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful to several individuals and organizations for assistance with access to sites and for supporting data. These include Cor Zwanenburg of Deltares (Uitdam), Martin Timoney, ARUP (N56). Bo Vesterberg, Swedish Geotechnical Institute (Färgelanda), Ray Flynn, and Queen’s University Belfast (Ballinafagh).
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©2020 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: May 23, 2019
Accepted: Mar 4, 2020
Published online: May 13, 2020
Published in print: Jul 1, 2020
Discussion open until: Oct 13, 2020
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