Consolidation and permeability properties of Singapore marine clay

The consolidation and permeability characteristics of the Singapore marine clay were investigated by laboratory and in situ tests. The coefficient of consolidation and the coefficient of permeability of the soil in both the vertical and horizontal directions, c, and c(h) and k(v) and k(h), respectively, were determined by oedometer, constant rate of strain, Rowe cell, piezocone (CPTU), flat dilatometer, self-boring pressuremeter (SBPT), and BAT permeameter tests, The c(h) value of the clay was also back calculated from field monitoring data. Comparisons of the results obtained by different methods indicate that the c(h) value determined by CPTU is generally in good agreement with that by Rowe cell tests, and the c(h) value determined by SBPT is often the highest among all the measurements. ne back calculated c(h) value is lower than that measured by other tests, which could be possibly due to the smear effect incurred during the installation of vertical drains.