Abstract
Saturated remolded specimens of peat sample were used in this investigation. After the specimens were normally consolidated and overconsolidated under an isotropic stress condition, drained triaxial compression shear tests were carried out. After the ends of shear tests, all the specimens were instantly dried on vacuum freezing and then the measurements of pore size distribution were performed by using a mercury intrusion porosimetry apparatus. Based on the measured results of pore size distribution, the relationships between change in pore structure and drained shear behavior were discussed. Furthermore, undrained triaxial compression shear tests were carried out on normally consolidated specimens and the effect of strain rate on pore structure was also investigated. It was found that the changes in pore structure of peat corresponded to the volume changes during shear and were especially influenced considerably by the degree of overconsolidation.
