Earth Pressures at Rest Related to Stress History

The influence of stress history on the coefficient of earth pressure at rest of remoulded cohesive soils was studied experimentally. A one-dimensional compression test cell and auxiliary controls which enabled the measurement of radial stresses under a condition of zero lateral strain was developed for this purpose. Radial pressures were measured throughout all stages of consolidation up to a maximum axial stress of 2,200 psi and subsequent rebound to zero stresses.Five cohesive soils, the properties of which are well documented, were selected for this study. These soils were: Chicago Clay, Goose Lake Flour, Weald Clay, London Clay, and Bearpaw Shale. 'The selected soils range in plasticity from low to high and cover a range of drained angles of shearing resistance from 15.5 degrees to 27.5 degrees. For testing purposes all soils were remoulded at a liquidity index of 0.5.For a pre-consolidation load of 2,200 psi and various values of the over-consolidation ratio, it was found that the coefficient of earth pressure at rest is related to both the drained angle of shearing resistance and the plasticity index. The coefficient of earth pressure at rest during rebound was found to be a function of the stress history of the soil as defined by the pre-consolidation load and over-consolidation ratio.