Abstract
A consolidation test method using seepage force was previously proposed to obtain consolidation constants for very soft clayey soils subjected to very low stress. Its applicability to practice is herein examined.The main results obtained are as follows : (1) Mikasa's large strain theory well interprets the process of seepage force consolidation, and a settlement-time curve obtained from the proposed test is in good agreement with the one calculated by using the theory and the constants obtained from that test; (2) Consolidation constants obtained from the proposed tests are in good agreement with the ones determined by the traditional oedometer tests; (3) Relationships between the constants and plasticity index are quite similar to the ones obtained from the constant rate of strain consolidation tests conducted by Umehara et al.In summary, the effectiveness of the proposed test method is emphasized with several precautions in operating the test.
