ABSTRACT
The stress-strain behaviour of cohesive soils is greatly influenced by the relative compaction (RC) achieved in field. Thus, understanding the mechanical behaviour of natural cohesive soil deposits under different degrees of compaction is crucial. The current study evaluates the effect of RC on the stress-strain response of low-plasticity cohesive soil collected from Chobari Dam, Gujarat. Unconsolidated Undrained (UU) triaxial compression tests were conducted on soil specimens compacted to varying RC levels of 85%, 90%, 95%, and 100% and subjected to different confining pressures (σc). This helped in assessing the combined effects of RC and σc on the mechanical behaviour of the soil. Shear strength parameters, cohesion (c) and angle of internal friction (φ), corresponding to each RC were determined and presented in this study. Results showed a linear increase in peak deviatoric stress with increasing RC. The secant modulus (Es) also exhibited notable variations with increasing RC and confining pressure.
