Mechanical properties of inorganic silt

Abstract: The need for increased knowledge of the properties and behaviour of silty soils has been urgent for many years. This report is an attempt to fulfil this need to same degree. The properties of inorganic silt have been investigated by means of laboratory tests, field tests and load tests. The investigations have primarily concerned drained and undrained shear strength parameters and their use for real cases of load. The mechanisms of failure and the components of friction and shear strength are discussed. The influence of failure criteria, testing method, and rate of shear on the shear strength parameters have been studied as well as the influence of clay content, plasticity index, deformation to failure, and stress history. The testing methods and parameters have been checked with some load tests in the field and in the loading basin.