Abstract: A layer of mucky silty clay distributes extensively at a shallow depth in Taicang area,Jiangsu Provience.This soil layer is of high moisture content,high compressibility and low permeability.It has therefore an important function in land subsidence due to the pumpage of shallow groundwater.A series of laboratory tests were performed to investigate the engineering geological properties.The test results show that the soil is predominantly of clay minerals such as illite,chlorite,and kaolinite,and ...