Stress‐Deformation Characteristics of Alaskan Silt

Abstract

An extensive series of undrained triaxial tests were performed on reconstituted samples of Alaskan silts in both the normally consolidated and over‐consolidated state. The results of the investigation show that the pore water pressure increases to a peak and then gradually and continuously decreases with strain. As a result, there is no unique value for the undrained shear strength of a silt. In addition, silt samples are easily disturbed, and their undrained strength is more likely to be seriously affected by disturbance than those of many clays. Sample disturbance is shown to increase the strength measured in IC‐U and AC‐U tests, while decreasing the strength measured in the UU test. Strength anisotropy is as significant in silts as has been reported for some clays. Creep strength loss is small. Results are also presented that analyze the normalized strength behavior of silts.