Abstract
This paper is first concerned with the characteristics of the excess pore-water pressure built up at the moment of applying a load increment on a normally consolidated clay of some age under one-dimensional condition. A simple empirical formula by which the initial excess pore-water pressure could be estimated is developed on the basis of Bjerrum's concept. Numerical results of the formula are presented and compared with observations from oedometer tests. Successively, based on the results of comparison, some considerations are made of a preconsolidation effect and a unique relationship between void ratio and effective pressure concerning aged clays. Other characteristics of aged clays are further discussed by referring to the results of consolidation tests.
