Colt&a. T., Cantoni, R., Pavesi, U., Ruberl, E. & Moretti, P. C. (1989). GLwtechnique 39, No.

2, 343-346
TECHNICAL NOTE
A correlation between residual friction angle, gradation and the
index properties of cohesive soils
T. COLLOTTA,* R. CANTONI,* U. PAVESI,* E. RUBERL* and P. C. MORETTIt
KEYWORDS: Atterberg limits; clays; friction; shear
tests; silts; soil properties
This Note proposes a new correlation between
residual friction angle &, gradation, and the
index properties of cohesive soils. The proposed
correlation was obtained on the basis of labor-
atory tests performed on more than 150 samples
from 20 Italian sites along the Autostrade Spa
motorway network.
Autostrade Spa is an Italian state controlled
company that has designed and built and is now
operating a motorway network more than 2700
km long. Slope movements and related damage
are a persistent problem over the 1000 km of
motorway which passes through rugged moun-
tain areas. The proposed correlation has been
included in a multi-function data bank which
contains all of the available technical information
required to design remedial measures in slide
areas. The correlation is particularly useful as a
guide for designers when remedial works are
urgent. It gives reliable qualitative indications
when the input data for design cannot be
obtained from an extensive laboratory test
program.
Practical correlations between residual friction
angle, gradation and/or the index properties of
cohesive soils are widely reported in the literature
and the following correlations have been pro-
posed.
(4
(4
(4
&--clay fraction (CF): Skempton (1964);
Borowicka (1965); Binnie, Clark & Skempton
(1967); Blondeau-Josseaume (1976); Kenney
(1977); Lupini, Skinner & Vaughan (1981);
Skempton (1985).
&-plasticity index (PI): Fleischer (1972);
Voight (1973); Kanji (1974); Bucher (1975);
Seyeek (1978); Vaughan, Hight, Sodha &
Walbancke (1979); Lambe (1985).
&-liquid limit (LL): Haefeli (1951); Bishop
(1971).
Discussion on this Technical Note closes 6 October
1989. For further details see p. ii.
* Studio Geotecnico Italian0 Sri, Milan.
t Autostrade Spa, Rome.
All of these correlations, which are characterized
by a large amount of scatter in the data, are
useful to evaluate trends but not for practical
applications.
This Note makes reference to the com-
prehensive study by Lupini et al. (1981) on the
drained residual strength of cohesive soils. The
main points discussed by Lupini et al. include the
following
(4
(4
(4
residual strength behaviour changes signifi-
cantly as the clay content of cohesive soil
increases
the proportion of platey particles to spherical
particles present in the soil and the coefficient
of interparticle friction of the platey particles
are confirmed as factors that control the
residual shear strength of the soil
the ring shear apparatus offers an unam-
biguous method of measuring residual
strength
(d) correlations between residual strength and
soil index properties and/or gradation cannot
be general.
In spite of the last point, and because of the large
amount and high quality of the available experi-
mental data, the search for a correlation between
r#&, grain size and index properties has been
attempted while taking into account the limi-
tations and identifying any possible restrictions.
All of the data used to develop the correlation
were obtained from Italian sites. The test speci-
mens were taken predominantly from samples
obtained from borings or test pits in the Apen-
nine silty clayey soils. Surface soils as well as
weathered material from soft rock formations
such as hard Pliocene clays, clayey flysch, and
clay shales have been tested.
Direct shear and ring shear tests were used to
determine the residual shear strength. A
Casagrande-type shear box was used for the
direct shear tests; a Bromhead device was used
for the ring shear tests. Direct shear tests were
performed on specimens 60 mm in diameter and
22 mm in height trimmed from undisturbed
samples (generally from Shelby tubes) in the order
of 80 mm in diameter. Each specimen was con-
solidated to a selected vertical stress &, and
thereafter completely pre-sheared (with or
343
344 COLLOTTA, CANTONI, PAVESI, RUBERL AND MORETTI
32- 013
.
0 l 6y5
.I5 Sandfractlon: %
I
: :
OO 20 40 60 60 J,T&
7
CALIP(C~2LL~P/~10 )
200maximum
Fig. 1. I& = f(CALZp) relationship applied to residual shear box tests
without a conventional peak strength
measurement). The specimen was then submitted
to shearing displacement, one or more times; the
same direction of the strain and constant a:, were
maintained. The tests using the Bromhead ring
shear device were performed under consolidated-
drained conditions on remoulded material
passing the N40 ASTM sieve.
For both types of test, the vertical effective
stress generally ranged between 100 and 500 kPa;
in a few cases a maximum value of 700 kPa was
applied. Because the proposed correlation is
intended for practical design purposes, 4; was
evaluated using a best-fit linear envelope on three
or more points over the range of vertical effective
stresses involved, resulting in the form
s = ck + sic tan 4;
(1)
where s is the residual shear strength and CL is
residual apparent cohesion intercept. Only tests
for which ck = 0 were included in developing the
correlation.
The suggested correlation confirms that the
residual friction angle I$; is influenced by both
l 15 Sand fraction: %
4
20 40 60 80 /iuptO
CALIP(C~2LL.PI~10-5)
200 rnaxlnlrn
Fig. 2. +; = f(CALZP) relationship applied to ring shear tests
COHESIVE SOIL PROPERTY CORRELATION 345
the clay fraction CF and the mineralogical com-
position of the clay. The latter factor is reflected
in the liquid limit LL, and plasticity index PI.
The proposed correlation relates 4; to a para-
-
meter that combines CF, LL and PI in the fol-
lowing manner
4; = f (C/UP)
(2)
-
(ASTM 152 H); the dried sample was treated by
soaking, stirring and dispersing in 250 mL
sodium hexametaphosphate solution (50 g/litre),
with sufficient demineralized water added to yield
1 litre. LL is the liquid limit in per cent, PI is the
plasticity index in per cent. Figs 1 and 2 show
equation (2) applied to residual shear box tests
and ring shear tests, respectively.
where CALIP =(CF)' x ZL x PI x 10e5;D is The proposed correlation is less steep and con-
the clay fraction (~2 pm) in per cent of material tains less scatter than other correlations (Figs 3
passing the N40 ASTM sieve (0.42 mm opening). and 4). It applies to soil with more than 80%
Values were calculated from hydrometer tests passing the N40 ASTM sieve.
0
20 40 60
CF. %
Fig. 3. CF against $s fromresidual shear box tests
034
' 32
l 5 5
015
4. 4. 4
, 4. 15. +
5. 0 n
031
. , 02
03
L
18 3.
. .
.
.
, 8' . 66. .
. ; *&. _
a
2
.
.
d,
I
20
GO%
Fig. 4. CF agairrst & fromring shear device
60
346 COLLOTTA, CANTONI, PAVESI, RUBERL AND MORETTI
Comparison between Figs 1 and 2 indicates
that the & values obtained from residual shear
box tests are nearly the same as those obtained
from ring shear tests for values of CALZP greater
than 60. For lesser values, K& from residual shear
box tests exceeds the values obtained from ring
shear tests by about 15-20%.
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