Abstract
Empirical correlations for estimating the shear wave velocity (Vs) from cone penetration tip resistance (qc) are derived from measured field data taken in 31 different natural clays. Despite the face that Vs and qc are operational at the opposite extremes of a highly nonlinear stress-strain-strength relationship, the two parameters can be interrelated because they are both influenced by effective confining stress level, anisotropic K0-stress state, mineralogy, aging, bonding, and other factors. Regression analyses indicate that the estimate is significantly improved if measurements of void ratio (e0) with depth are also known, resulting in an expression that relates Vs to both qc and e0. Results are applied to an independent recent case study involving a sensitive marine clay where the relevant parameters are well documented.
