Simple Index Tests for Assessing the Recompression Index of Fine-Grained Soils

The recompression index (C-r) of fine-grained soils is conventionally determined from consolidation tests on undisturbed samples, but it has been suggested to estimate C-r using empirical models (i.e., correlation equations). So far, however, only a few attempts have been made to establish correlation equations for recompression indexes. In this paper, two independent databases of experimental data on more than 100 different soils are statistically analyzed to (1) examine which index properties correlate best with C-r; (2) establish correlation equations between C-r and index properties; and (3) evaluate the validity and reliability of the proposed equations and existing empirical models. The results of this study suggest that (1) there are significant linear correlations between the recompression index and index properties, and (2) the proposed correlation equations provide quite good estimates of recompression indexes for fine-grained soils with wide ranges of stress histories and sensitivities. (C) 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers.