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Lateral earth pressure in normally consolidated clay.

Article · January 1979

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d12. Lateral earth pressure in normally
consolidated clay
Pressions latérales des terres dans Pargile consolidées normalement

K.R. MASSARSCH, VBB—Engineers, Architects, Economists, Stockholm

Massarsch, K. R. 1979. Lateral Earth Pressure in Normally Consolidated Clay, 7th European Conference on
Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, Brighton, Proceedings, Vol. 2, pp. 245-249.

Based on a survey of laboratory measurements, the coefficient of earth pressure at rest, K0 is cor-
related to plasticity index, PI. In-situ lateral earth pressure measurements using a total stress
cell are then compared with the proposed empirical relation.

INTRODUCTION which approximates the original equation has

Increasing use of advanced analytical methods
requires the knowledge of initial in-situ
stresses in a soil deposit. Total and effective
vertical stress can be determined in most cases
with sufficient accuracy from sampling and pore
pressure measurements.
COEFFICIENT OF EARTH PRESSURE AT REST
Donath (1891) introduced the concept of ex-
pressing the horizontal stress, σh as a function
of vertical stress, σV. This ratio, the coeffi-
cient of earth pressure K, has become a conveni-
ent parameter to describe stress variations. The
coefficient of earth pressure at rest, K0 is
commonly used to express the state of in-situ
stresses and is defined as the ratio of lateral
effective stress, σh´ and vertical effective
stress, σV´
found wide acceptance and agrees reasonably with
laboratory data and practical experience.
ERROR IN K0
The coefficient of earth pressure at rest, K0
is convenient for numerical analysis of geo-
technical problems. This formulation, however,
is unfortunate since it requires the accurate
measurement of three independent variables. It
can be shown that negligible errors in the de-
termination of vertical and lateral stress and
pore water pressure can result in significant
magnification of the error in K0, Massarsch et al
(1975), Tavenas et al (1975). However, it
should be pointed out that the input parameter
actually needed for an analysis is still the
value of the lateral earth pressure and not K0.
Besides errors in measuring stresses, the
pore water pressure in a soil deposit can vary
considerably throughout the year. By using the
well-established numerical function for error
estimates

In practice, the value of K0 cannot be de-

termined directly but has to be calculated
from vertical total stress, σV, horizontal
total stress, σh and pore water pressure, u. the effect of variations in the independent
variables x, y and z can be studied. The effect
Jaky (1944) in a classic paper suggested a on K0 of changes in pore water pressure can be
semi-empirical relation to estimate K0 in
normally consolidated soils from

Substituting Eq.l into Eq.5 and normalizing

where φ is the effective angle of internal by K0 yields
friction. A simplified relationship

calculated by operating Eq.4 on Eq.l

IN SITU MEASUREMENT

Fig. 1 Effect of variation in pore water Fig. 2 Correlation between K0 from laboratory
pressure on K0 tests and plasticity index, PI

In Fig. 1, the effect on K0 of changes in TOTAL STRESS CELL METHOD

pore water pressure is shown for a typical nor-
mally consolidated clay deposit. It is assumed
that the pore water pressure is hydrostatic and
that K0 = 0.6. The variation in K0 is largest
closest to the ground surface. A rather small
variation in pore pressure results in large
changes of the coefficient of earth pressure at
rest.
Considering uncertainties in determining ver-
tical and horizontal total pressure and pore
water pressure, it is not surprising that K0-
values back-calculated from field tests give
large scatter and only poor correlation with
other parameters, Massarsch et al (1975), Tave-
nas et al (1975).
In the field, several different methods are
today available for measuring lateral total
pressure in cohesive soils, Massarsch and Broms
(1976). A method which has been used by the
author for many years employs a thin total stress
cell which is pushed into the ground, Fig. 3.
The method is simple and the equipment
relatively inexpensive. A detailed description
of the method and results from field tests in
different soils can be found elsewhere,
Massarsch (1975), Massarsch et al. (1975),
Tavenas et al. (1975).

LABORATORY MEASUREMENT OF K0

Laboratory tests suggest that for most prac-

tical purposes the simple relation from Eq.3
yields reasonable results in cohesionless soils.
In order to estimate K0, however, the effective
angle of internal friction has to be known. For
cohesive soils it is preferable to relate K0 to
index properties such as plasticity index, PI.

In Table 1 are shown results from laboratory

measurements of K0 on undisturbed and disturbed
samples reported in the literature. In Fig.2,
K0 is plotted vs. PI. Considering the variety
of testing methods and soil types included in
the survey, the correlation is acceptable. The
scatter is significantly larger for disturbed
than for undisturbed samples. For typical clay
soils, with PI varying between 20 and 80 linear
regression yields the simple relationship
Fig. 3 Total earth pressure cell
CALCULATED VS. MEASURED LATERAL STRESS
The above presented empirical relation bet-
ween plasticity index and K0 can be used to
predict lateral in-situ stresses in normally
consolidated clay deposits. Field measurements
of lateral stresses by the total stress cell
method from six different sites have been
published

246
 d12: MASSARSCH

elsewhere. In Table II, the measured total field of the Swedish Geotechnical Institute
lateral stresses are compared with predicted at Skå-Edeby. The geotechnical conditions at
values, using Eq.7. Also shown are the measured the site are described in detail elsewhere,
and estimated values of K0. As can be seen, the Massarsch et al (1975).
agreement between measured and predicted lateral
total stress is surprisingly good and is in most
cases better than ± 9 % although two
Inflatable rubber cushions, protected by ri-
fundamentally different methods are compared.
gid steel frames were pushed into the soft clay
deposit, Fig. 4. After about one week the
TABLE I. Coefficient of earth pressure of rest, lateral pressure in the cushions was increased
K0 for normally consolidated cohesive soils, to 59 kPa. Then earth pressure cells were in-
determined from laboratory tests on undisturbed stalled vertically. Experience from a large
(U) and remolded (R) samples. number of tests shows that the accuracy of the
earth pressure measurements strongly depends on
Plasticity K 0 Test Reference appropriate installation technique and equipment.
Index Type Inserting the total stress cells resulted in ex-
cess pressure which, however, dissipated within
one week. After equilibrium was reached, the
measured lateral pressure was less than 3 % lo-
10 0.43 U Bishop(1958) wer than the applied lateral stress (57 kPa).
45 0.57 U
25 0.70 R
23 0.66 R
10 0.51 U Simons(1958)'
16 0.48 U
10 0.47 R Brooker and Ireland(1965)
16 0.51 R
21 0.54 R
38 0.67 R
78 0.70 R
23 0.48 R Ladd(1965)
20 0.55 U Campanella and Vaid(1972)
32 0.48 R Nadarajah(1973)
52 0.67 U Saada and Bianchini(1975)
51 0.64 U
51 0.63 U
48 0.63 U
37 0.51 R
37 0.52 R
23 0.68 R
24 0.47 R "
24 0.46 R
24 0.48 R
45 0.53 U Lacerda(1976)
45 0.58 U
28 0.68 R Abdelhamid and Krizek Fig. 4 Calibration of total stress cell by
(1976) in situ lateral load test
28 0.70 R
42 0.59 U Compiled by Ladd(1977)
61 0.78 U The described field investigation is part of
87 0.79 U a comprehensive study of large-scale lateral
101 0.80 U load tests, which presently is in progress at
24 0.59 R the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm.
12 0.47 R
64 0.75 U Chang et al(1977)
37 0.55 U The above-described test suggests that the earth
30 0.64 U pressure cell functioned properly in the
60 0.65 R described case and that installation causes only
60 0.76 R slight disturbance in the soft clay. Total
32 0.43 R Moore and Cole(1977) stress cells thus can be an economic and accurate
40 0.56 R method for determining lateral earth pressure in
soft clay. The use of direct determination of K0
is of special importance in the case of
overconsolidated clays where empirical
correlation is not yet available, Wroth (1975).
The accuracy of the earth pressure cell was However, it should be pointed out that general
tested in the field using a recently developed conclusions should not be drawn until more
method for in-situ lateral load tests, Olsson comprehensive tests in clays with different
(1979). The test was carried out at the test geotechnical properties are available.

247
IN SITU MEASUREMENT

CONCLUSIONS

When the lateral earth pressure at rest is
expressed in terms of K0, small inaccuracies in
vertical and lateral total pressure and pore
water pressure can result in a significant
error in K0. Based on a survey of laboratory
data available in the literature a simple
relationship for estimating K0 from PI in
normally consolidated clays is proposed.
A recently developed method for lateral
field load test was used to check the accuracy
of total earth pressure cells in-situ. The
measurements suggest that in soft clay the to-
tal stress cell can give accurate values of
lateral total stress. The results gave ex-
cellent agreement between applied and measured
lateral earth pressure.
Good agreement was obtained between predic-
ted lateral total stress based on laboratory
tests and field measurements with the total
stress cell method.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Bishop, A.W. (1958). Test Requirements for
Measuring the Coefficient of Earth Pressure
at Rest. Proc. Brussels Conf. on Earth
Pressure Problems, (1), 2-14.
Brooker, E.W. and Ireland, H.O. (1965). Earth
Pressure at Rest Related to Stress History.
Canadian Geotechnical Journal, (2), No. 1,
1-15.
Campanella, R.G. and Vaid, Y.P. (1972). A
simple Ko-Triaxial Cell. Canadian Geotech-
nical Journal, (9), No. 3, 249-260.
Chang, M.F., et al. (1977). A Method for De-
termining the In Situ Ko Coefficient. Proc.
10th. ICSMFE, Tokyo, (1), 61-64.
Donath, A.D. (1891). Untersuchungen liber den
Erddruck auf Stiitzwande. Zeitschrift fur
Bauwesen, Berlin.
Hammarstedt, I. and Holler, P. (1977). Dimen-
sionering av forankrade sponter. Special
Project Report JoB2/77. Royal Institute of
Technology (KTH), Stockholm, Sweden, 56 p.

The study was supported by a grant from the Jaky, I. (1944). The Coefficient of Earth
Swedish Building Research Council (Grant BFR Pressure at Rest (in Hungarian). Journal
771056-4) and by a professional development Soc. of Hungarian Architects and Engineers,
grant from VBB. Part of the study was conduc- Budapest, 355-358.
ted while the author was with the University of
Kentucky. Lacerda, W.I. (1976). Stress Relaxation and
Creep Effects on Deformation of Soil. Ph. D.
Thesis, University of California, Berkeley.
REFERENCES
Ladd, C.C., et al. (1977). Stress-Deformation
Abdelhamid, M.S., and Krizek, R.J. (1976).
and Strength Characteristics. Proc. 9th
At Rest Lateral Earth Pressure of a Conso-
ICSMFE, Tokyo, (1), 421-494.
lidating Clay. ASCE Journal of the Geotech-
nical Engineering Division, (102), No. GT7,
721-738.

TABLE II - CALCULATED AND MEASURED IN-SITU LATERAL TOTAL STRESS

Site Depth PI K0 Lateral total stress Diffe- Reference

m measured calculated measured calculated rence
kPa kPa %

Bankebol 7 48 0.59 0.63 85 78 +9 Massarsch et

17 50 0.49 0.64 218 231 -6 al.(1975)
Jarva Krog 9 27 0.41 0.54 103 110 - 6 -"-
Kalix 9 82 0.59 0.77 103 110 - 6
Ska-Edeby 7 30 0.60 0.56 88 83 +6
9 30 0.53 0.56 113 117 - 4
San Francisco 5 45 0.67 0.62 65 63 + 3 Lunne and
7 45 0.60 0.61 89 89 ±0 Massarsch
(1979)
Stockholm 6 26 0.57 0.54 76 75 +1 Hammarstedt
and Holler
(1977)

Ladd, R.S., (1965). Use of Electrical Press-
ure Tranducers to Measure Soil Pressure.
Res. Report R65-48, No. 180, Dept. of Ci-
vil Ing., Mass. Inst. of Technology,
Cambridge, 79 p.
Lunne, T. and Massarsch, K.R. (1979). Field
Tests at Hamilton AFB, San Francisco, (to
be published).
Massarsch, K.R.,(1975). New Method for Mea-
surement of Lateral Earth Pressure in Co-
hesive Soils. Canadian Geotechnical
Journal, (12), Ur. 1. 142-146.
Massarsch, K.R., et al. (1975). Measurement
of Horizontal In Situ stresses. Proc. ASCE
Speciality Conference on "In Situ
Measurements of Soil Proparties", Raleigh,
(1), 266-286.
Massarsch, K.R. and Broms B.B. (1976). Late-
ral Earth Pressure at Rest in Soft Clay.
ASCE Journal of the Geotechnical Engi-
neering Division, (102) GT 10, 1041-1047.
Massarsch, K.R. and Broms B.B. (1978). Closure
to Discussion: Lateral Earth Pressure at
Rest in Soft Clay. (104), GT 1, 146-148.
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d!2: MASSARSCH
Moore, P.I. and Cole, B.R., (1977). Discussion
to: At-Rest Lateral Earth Pressure of a
Consolidating Clay. ASCE Journal of the
Geotechnical Engineering Division, (103),
No. GT 7, 820-821.
Nadarajah, V. (1973). Stress-Strain Properties
of Lightly Overconsolidated Clay. Ph. D.
Thesis, University of Cambridge.
Olsson, L., (1979). New Method for In Situ
Lateral Load Test (to be published).
Saadfi, A.S. and Bianchini, G.F., (1975)
Strength of One Dimensionally Consolidated
Clays. ASCE Journal of the Geotechnical
Engineering Division, (101), No. GT 11,
1151-1164.
Simons, N., (1958). Discussion of: Test
Requirements for Measuring the Coefficient
of Earth Pressure at Rest. Proc. Brussels
Conf. on Earth Pressure Problems. (3), 50-
53.
Tavenas, F.A., et al. (1975). Difficulties in
the In Situ Determination of Ko in soft
Sensitive Clays. Proc. ASCE Specialty
Conference on "In Situ Measurements of Soil
Properties", Raleigh, (1), 450-476.
Wroth, C.P., (1975). In Situ Measurement
of Initial Stresses and Deformation Charac-
teristics. Proc. ASCE Specialty Conference
on " In Situ Measurements of Soil
Properties", Raleigh, (2), 181-230.
249