Sensitivity evaluation of Krakowiec clay based on time-dependent behavior

Time resistance of soil structure in oedometer IL (Incremental Loading) tests was defined by Janbu as specific dependence between load and development of strain during consolidation process. A number of laboratory tests have been conducted in order to study the time dependent behaviour of the natural and remoulded clay, thereby providing sensitivity evaluation. The soil sensitivity framework was applied to represent the effect of structure and stress dependency on the time resistance number. For this purpose, the creep behavior of structured and remolded clay during consolidation were compared and the initial amount of bonding (structure) was determined as well. In this study, the initial amount of bonding was defined through the intrinsic time resistance number and lowest measured time resistance number determined by the IL oedometer test conducted on intact (undisturbed) sample. In case of the Krakowiec clay, it was found that the time resistance number varies with effective stress level. The investigated clay indicated medium sensitivity, which is in great agreement with previous reports on the sensitivity of the Krakowiec clay.