STERMAC, LO, AND BARSVARY: AN EMBANKMENT ON DEEP VARVED CLAY

REFERENCES
EDEN, \IT. J., and Bs z~zex, M., 1962. Fo~~ndation failure of a silo on varved clay. Eng. J.
45, 9: 54-7.
Lo, K. Y., and STERMAG, A. 6., 1965. Failure ~f an embankment founded on varved clay.
This JOURNAL 2, 3: 234-53.
Lo, K. Y., 1961, Stress-strain relationship and pore pressure characteristics sf a norrnalIy
consolidated clay. Proc. 5th Int. Conf. Soil Mech. and Found. Eng. (Paris) I : 219.
MILLIGAN, V., SODERMAW, L. 6., and RUTKA, A., 1962. Experience with Canadian vanred
clays. J. Soil Mech. atad Found. Bizs. ASCE, SM4 : 31.
RAYMOND, 6. P., and HILTS, D., 1964. Pr~diction of settkments and pore pressures beneath
a highway embadment at New Eideard, Ont. Ont. Joint Highway Research Pro-
gramme Report 36.
SODERAIAN, L. G., and Q~ GLEY, R. M., 1965. Geotechnical properties of three Ont ar i ~
clays. This J O ~ WA L 2, 3: 16749.
TOWNSEND, D. L., and METCALF, J. B., 1964. Chsifkation tests of some Ontario isaroed
clay samples. Ontario Joint Highway Research Pr~gramme Report 26.
D I S C U S S I O N
G E R A L D P. R A Y MO N D
Professor of Ciuil Engineering, Queen's Unioersity, Kingston
All field records are of immense importance to a better understanding of
soil behaviour. We are grateful to the authors for recording their experiences
in connection with the performance of a deep deposit of varved clay sub-
jected to an embankment loading.
It is perhaps worth noting that the geotechnical properties of the varved
day described by Raymond and Hilts (1964) and referred to by the authors
along with results reported by Townsend, Raymond, and Cruickshanks (1964)
were obtained from a borehole some 37 ft. from the original instrumentation
described by the authors. A reanalysis of the laboratory tests along with
additional tests on the same material has been presented by Raymond and
Chan (1966). The above references are given so that anyone who wishes to
perform his own analysis of this case record may do so, although a more
detailed analysis is at the moment underway.
One of the most important aspects of this paper is that it describes a
planned stage construction of an embankment which had to be abandoned
for some alternative scheme. Very rarely do we see in print case records which
did not work out as planned.
Some of the difficulties which arise when attempting to predict the per-
formance of this case record can be summarized as follows. First, one wonders
whether the use of larger factors of safety 3s suggested by the authors would
have caused faster rates of dissipation of the pore-water pressures. The writer
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would tend to agree with the authors that it would, for reasons that have
been stated earlier by Raymond ( 1965 ), ( 1966a).
Second, it may be noted that the modulus of deformation of this soil deposit
as reported by Raymond and Hilts is about 10 to 15 times higher at the bottom
of the deposit than at the top. This difference is indirectly confirmed hy the
vane tests reported, if it is agreed that the undrained shear strength is propor-
tional to thc undrained modulus. It is quite possible that such a variation in
modulus will affect the initial distribution of pore-water pressures.
Third, shown on Figure 1 of this discussion is a plot of field void ratio against
compression index for this varvecl clay. It is quite apparent that there is much
variation in the soil properties. At the moment it would appear that the only
way of analysing this material is to try to obtain an average field void ratio to
give an average compression index or an a~~er age value of the consolidation
characteristics (the same type of plot being used to determine the other
consolidation characteristics ) .
I + BULK MATERI AL ( VARVES VERT.) (
A COARSER GRAINED LAYER
V FI NER GRAINED LAYER
B HYDROSATATI C CONS. (VAWVES HOf f Z. )
x HYDROSATATIC CONS. ( VARVES VEWT.)
I
FIELD VOI D RATI O
FIGURE 1. Correlation betwen cornpressiun index and field void ratio of New Liskeard
a-arved soil
Fourth, in such a deep deposit it is felt that some effect of the variation of
the soil's characteristics with respect to depth should be taken into account.
Some work along these lines has been presented by Srhiffman and Gibso11
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DISCUSSION: AN EMBANKMENT C9N BEEP VARVED CLAY 68
( 1964), Davis and Raymond ( 1965), and Raymond ( 1966b). Further work
will, it is hoped be presented by the writer and will acount, also, for the
variation in consolidation coefficients during the coilsolidation process.
Fifth, some consideration of laterial drainage must be given.
IVhile it is not our intention to elaborate on any of these points at this time,
it is perhaps worth recording that the Ontario Department of Highways and
Queen's University have been co-operating throligh the Ontario Joint I-Iiglway
Research Programme to obtain a better understanding of the effects of these
points.
It should be needless to add that considerable savings could have been
realized had it been possible to predict the performance of this einbankment.
This lindcrlines the necessity for continued research on the consolidation and
settlement behaviour of soils.
D~vas, E. I1., and R ~ ~ a a o ~ u , G. I)., 1965. A non-1inr.ar theory of consolidation. Cc;otech-
tliqzle 15, 2: 161-73.
H~ ~ a r o w ~ , G. I>., 1965. Discussion. This JOURNAI, 2, 2: 100-14.
RAYMOXD, G. P., 1966a. Consolidation of slightly overconsolidated soils. Broc. ASCE 92,
SM5: 1-20.
RAY~IONL), C:. P., 196611. Laboratory consoliclation of some normally consolidated soils.
This J o r r n ~ ~ r , 3, 4: 217-34.
RAPF.~ND, G. P., and &AN, 1-1. T., 1965. The consolidnfion of mzcki-layered soils subjected
to barge bockd rcltios and om-dinlensionai clmiilage. Department of Highways, Report
HB 104.
S~I%II.P;MAN, H. L., and GIBSON, R, E., 1964. The consoliciation of non-hoinogcneor~s clay
layers. Psoc. ASCE 90, SM5: 1-30.
G. B. C R A W F O R D and 1 : . J. E D E N
Soil MccFannics Sectioal, Dz'uisi.i61n of Buil~ling ResearcF~, Nutioalal Wesecrn:h GounciE
The importance of field measurements has been well demonstrated by thc
authors of this paper. In the opinion of the writers it would not bc possible,
using present theories, to predict the settlement rates and pore pressure
response which has been observed in this case.
From the soil profile and the consolidation tests it may be assumed that
most of the consolidation settlement occurred in the 10-ft. layer between
depths of 12 and 22 ft. The stress applied to this layer has just equalled or
cxcecded the measured preconsolidation pressure and the settlement of the
layer is estimated to be about 5 in. during the first month, 10 in. after 6 months,
and 15 in. after 24 months. At the end of two years, therefore, the laver has
compressed about 12 per cent without any gain in strength. This is also the
layer of minimum initial streiigth through which most of the failtire surface
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