Geotechnical characterization of a Recife soft clay - Laboratory and in-situ tests

This paper presents the results of an investigation of laboratory tests (characterization, compressibility, and, strength) and in situ tests (SPT, piezocone, and dilatometer) that were performed in one of the deposits of Recife soft days (Brazil). Soil classification, stress history, in situ horizontal stress (K-0), compressibility parameters (e(0), C-C, C-S, M). and strength parameters (S-U and phi') will be presented, discussed, and analysed. The selected site is located near the center of the city in the area of the Clube International. The soil profile consists of about 6-7 meters of a clayey sand underlain by an organic soft clay layer with a thickness of 20 meters, subdivided into 2 layers, with SPT values usually varying from 1 to 3. All laboratory and in situ tests were well performed and the results were satisfactorily good and, in general, they compared very well.