An experimental study of the physical and mechanical behavior of the saturated lateritic clay in western Zhejiang

Based on the mineral compositions and chemical compositions, the basic physical and mechanical behavior of the saturated lateritic clay in western Zhejiang are examined by performing a series of laboratory tests, including compression tests, drained triaxial shear tests and creep tests. The compression index Cc and swelling index Cs are calculated from the compression curves and the soil structure is confirmed by normalized compression curves of undisturbed samples. The stress ratio-strain curves, obtained from the consolidated drained triaxial shear tests, are different at different confining pressures due to the soil structure, and the critical state stress ratio and cohesion are also determined. The changes in secondary consolidation coefficients at different pressures are analyzed and the statistical value of Cα/Cc is 0.0124 for the saturated undisturbed lateritic clay. The basic material parameters obtained from the tests can be used for engineering construction in the western Zhejiang area.