Application of two analytical CPTU solutions to sensitive clay in Québec
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A recent series of CPTU soundings in sensitive clay at the Louiseville Quebec test site has been published (Dourlet 2020), allowing for the application of two closed-form analytical solutions for geoparameter interpretations including: effective stress friction angle, undrained shear strength, yield stress ratio, and undrained rigidity index. Profiles of these soil parameters are compared with the benchmark values obtained from available series of past and present laboratory testing programs at this site, including triaxial compression and one-dimensional consolidation (Leroueil, et al. 2003). An empirical CPTU screening method identifies the Louiseville site as underlain by sensitive clay, versus a regular insensitive clay deposit, whereas soil behavior charts using Q-F-Bq indicate either silt (zone 4) or regular clay (zone 3). This screening is verified by field vane and laboratory fall cone results that show the clay sensitivity averages 22.