Comparison of cone and T-bar factors in two onshore and one offshore clay sediments

摘要

Field developments in deep waters with very soft soils have led to increased reliance on the use of in situ tests to evaluate soil design parameters. Recently the T-bar has been introduced due to its potential for increasing the reliability of interpreted undrained shear strength relative to the CPTU for soft clays in deep waters. Empirical correlations based on field tests and laboratory tests on samples at one offshore and two onshore soft clay sites indicate that T-bar factors are in a somewhat narrower range compared to cone factors. Recommendations are given in terms of cone and T-bar factors to use, and when T-bar tests should be carried out in addition to CPTU.