GEOTECHNICAL PROPERTIES OF DIATOMACEOUS EARTH IN NORTHERN GIFU PREFECTURE AND CUT SLOPE STABILITY

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to study the geotechnical properties of diatomaceous earth and its influence on a cut slope. In general, diatomaceous earth is extremely sensitive to small disturbance due to its much higher natural water content and compression index than those of other natural clays. The following conclusions are obtained from the present study: 1. The soil structure of diatomaceous earth can be easily destroyed by dry-wet cycle. 2. The liquid limit of diatomaceous earth is found to be lowered by disturbance. 3. Yielding properties of Takasu diatomaceous earth is less anisotropic than alluvial and Pleistocene clays. 4. Mechanical behavior of Takasu diatomaceous earth is similar to that of Osaka Pleistocene clays in terms of stress-strain-dilatancy characteristic. 5. Based on the experimental results, countermeasures against cut slope failure were suggested.