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3rd International Symposium on Cone Penetration Testing, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA - 2014

Properties of genetically different Russian soils derived from CPT


V.I.Kashirsky, R.S. Ziangirov and M.S. Dergachev
GrandGEO Ltd, Moscow, Russian Federation

ABSTRACT: The paper reviews some specific features of testing quaternary and pre-quaternary sandclay deposits within the area of the city of Moscow and the Moscow Region. It results from revising
the current Russian regulations in order to harmonize them with their respective international counterparts. The paper presents correlations between cone penetration test parameters (Rf, qc, fs) and soil
composition and properties, including strength and stiffness parameters (C, , E) of sand loams. The
investigations showed considerable scatter of physical-mechanical parameters of quaternary and prequaternary genetically different soils.
1 INTRODUCTION
When processing sand-clay test data geotechnical engineers in Russia must face the fact that current
regulations in Russia do not take into account some regional soil properties (Ziangirov, et al. 2005).
The authors have repeatedly stressed the fact that Table 6 in the Moscow City Construction Regulations (MGSN 2.07-97. 1998) that were included unchanged into later version (MGSN 2.07-01. 2003)
for determining soil stiffness modulus (E, P) of upper lacustrine-boggy and lacustrine- glacial soils
(clays, clay and sand loams), offers only one equation:
E = 5 + 7.5q

(MPa) (1)

that describes composition and properties of soil, related to Moscow, Oka and Dniper glaciation period.
There is no doubt that extra research, updating and better accuracy of the above-mentioned and other regional features is required.
The processing of parallel cone penetration test (CPT) and plate load test (PLT) data in moraine
clays and clay loams enabled establishment of correlation for Epl = f(q) (with Epl, MPa as soil stiffness
modulus from plate load test data (Table 1)) (Ziangirov & Kashirsky, 2004, Kashirsky, 2005,
Kashirsky, et al. 2012).
The best relationship (Kashirsky et al., 2012) for clays and clay loams is:
Epl = 7.0 + 6.4qc

(MPa) (2)

The following equation is usually applied for high-plastic and low-plastic moraine clays:
Epl = 3.0 + 6.8qc

(MPa) (3)

309

Table 1. Dependencies of soil stiffness modulus and plate load test data (Epl, MPa) on specific CPT (qc ,
MPa) for moraine sand clays in Moscow city.
Soils

Epl versus qc , (P)

qc range (MPa)

Rf*, %

Clays and sand loams, medium hard


Clays and clay loams, low-plastic and high-plastic
Rf =fs / qc 100%

Epl = 7.0 + 6.4qc


Epl = 3.0 + 6.8qc

0.54.8
<2

47
45

Table 1 relates to soils in aeration or technogeneous moistening zone. As a result of comparative


CPT and plate load tests (Kashirsky et al., 2012), calculation of stiffness modulus values, using equation (3), proposed for hard-soft plastic moraine clays and clay loams, helps avoid exaggeration of deformation parameters more than 1.5 times.
The techniques, applied by Russian and international geotechnical engineers, feature some differences, e.g., there are two approaches for assessing physical-mechanical parameters of sands from CPT
data. The first approach, used internationally, is based on correlations between cone resistance, stiffness modulus from compression tests and relative density of sands, obtained from calibration chambers. Russian engineers test soil simultaneously to establish correlation between cone penetration resistance and plate load test stiffness modulus (Epl) by testing soils in boreholes using plate load tests.
Because soils are classified by their genetic types, determination of properties of pre-quaternary deposits has become a challenge for geotechnical survey, e.g., Table 1 alone in the current regulations
(MGSN 2.07-01. 2003) permits to use a scale factor (mk, defined as Eplt/Ecpt) for pre-quaternary heavy
clays, having void ratio , equal to 1.2 to 1.4 (respectively, mk =2.5 or 2.0).
Ignatova (Ignatova, 2009) applied correlation-regression analysis to process numerous survey data
from the area of the city of Moscow and Moscow region. Correlations were obtained of soil stiffness
and strength parameters with physical parameters of Jurassic clay soils from field survey and laboratory test data.
Similar investigations were earlier carried out by Ziangirov and Kashirsky (Ziangirov, et al. 2007,
Ziangirov & Kashirsky, 2005), also based on comparative tests of Jurassic soils by CPT and PLT of
analogue soils that gave the following relationship:
E = 8qc

(MPa) (4)

Ignatova (Ignatova, 2009) improved this relationship on the basis of extensive statistical data, and
proposed it in the following form:
E = 8.5 + 5qc

(MPa) (5)

The obtained relationships for deformation and strength parameters on plasticity index (Ip), liquidity
index (IL) and void ratio (e) enabled creation of soils parameters tables that could be included into prospective regulations and to become a database to be included into prospective regulations and to further become a normalized data base for pre-quaternary deposits of the Moscow Region (STO
36554501-020-2010. 2010, Ignatova, 2009, Ziangirov, & Kashirsky, 2005, Ziangirov, et al. 2007).

2 RECENT EXPERIENCE IN MOSCOW REGION


Rapid Moscow development with area expansion times 2.5 demonstrated inadequacy of regulations,
elaborated in Moscow, for Federal Standards, because in practice engineers encounter considerable
scatter of the measured physico-mechanical soil properties. As indicated by Kashirsky, et al. (2012)
there is an urgent need to develop geological service in Moscow region and the integrated regional set
of regulations (based on federal regulations). The authors have come to this conclusion during the integrated geological and eco-geological survey prior to the development of the Yuzhny neighborhood
of Domodedovo town in Moscow Region in 2011-2013.
Table 2 gives main soil physical properties, stiffness and strength parameters of Upper Jurassic (J3)
hard and medium-hard clays for the first stage of Yuzhny neighborhood development, obtained from
laboratory tests.
310

Liquidity index IL, fr. unit.

Humid soil density


, g/cm3

Void ratio e, fr. unit.

Angle of internal friction


, (deg.)

Cohesion in situ c, kPa

40
-0.57
0.24
-0.11
-1.81
-0.19
-0.22

40
1.64
1.81
1.71
0.02
1.71
1.70

40
1.08
1.52
1.33
0.09
1.31
1.30

13
9
16
12
0.21
11
11

13
26
49
37
0.21
34
33

At pressure
=0.1- 0.2
P
Reduced pressure

Form
triaxial tests.

Number of probes
40
40
40
min
0.38 0.71 0.26
Value of
max
0.55 1.00 0.48
parameter
aver
0.46 0.83 0.34
Variation coefficient 0.10 0.07 0.17
While * is 0.85
0.45 0.80 0.30
0.95
0.44 0.79 0.30
confidence level of design values

Stiffness modulus, Pa
for soils in situ.
Compression Total
c
tot
At overburden pressure

Plasicity index IP, fr. unit.

Moisture content at
liquid limit WL, fr. unit.

Parameter

Natural moisture content


W, fr. unit.

Table 2. Main physico-mechanical parameters of Upper Jurassic clays (layer 12) within the area of the
1st stage neighborhood Yuzhny development in the town of Domodedovo

12
4
10
6
0.18
6
6

12
3
9
6
0.35
5
5

4
27
37
31
0.16
29
27

12
14
46
29
0.18
28
26

Increase factors (mk), obtained from compression test stiffness modulus in laboratory (Ec) and by
vertical static PLT of analogue soils within 11.7 to 22 m range (Epl) are given in Table 3 and exceed
times 1.52.0 those recommended in (3.23.3 Table. 3, 4, STO 36554501-020-2010. 2010).
Table 3. Results of increasing mk factor check-up for Jurassic clays (Layer12)
Parameter Values
Average
Ec *
6.2 5.1 6.6 5.4 5.0 4.6 4.9 4.5 8.8 5.2 4.9 7.2 4.8 6.1 8.8 5.3 5.8
Epl
23 32 28 30 31 30 31 28 29 27 29 30 27 30 28 30 28.9
mk**
3.7 6.3 4.2 5.6 6.2 6.5 6.3 6.2 3.3 5.2 5.9 4.2 5.6 4.9 3.2 5.7 5.2
* Accounting for factor mk=3.23.3 from Table. 3, 4 (STO 36554501-020-2010. 2010) and value = 18 to (?) 19 MPa.
** Per Code of practice 22.13330.2011.

Table 4 gives values of stiffness modulus, obtained by field and laboratory methods as well as scale
factors for transformation of cone penetration resistance into stiffness modulus of Upper Jurassic clay
soils and lower Cretaceous sands.
Analysis of Table 4 data shows that the mean scale factor from Upper Jurassic clays and clay loams
of the test site is 7.14 while for lower Cretaceous sands of various grain sizes from 2.96 to 3.03 with
mean value 3.0.
Simultaneous survey on the neighboring construction site of the 2nd neighborhood in Domodedovo
yielded the following stiffness parameters of Upper Jurassic deposits.
Table 4. Comparison of stiffness modulus, determined by different methods, and calibration factors for cone resistance of
Upper Jurassic soils in lower Cretaceous sediments of site 1, Yuzhny neighborhood in Domodedovo.
Layer

Soil name and its


geological index

Stiffness modulus, , MPa


Oedometer
tests

Upper Jurassic deposits (J3)


Layer Clay loams medi22
11
um-hard and stiff
plastic
Layer- Hard and medium
29
12
hard clays
lower Cretaceous sediments (K1)

Values and factors

Triaxial
tests

CPT

PLT

CP 22. Recom13330. mended


2011
values

CPT resistance qc

Scale factor
from CPT to
PLT
Epl / qc

21

24

28
48

24

3.35

7.16

31

27

26
46

22

27

3.79

7.12

311

Layer
15
Layer
15b
Layer
16
Layer
16b
Layer
17

Dusty sands of medium density


Dusty sands, dense

25

40

27
45
37
51
29
51
33
56
38
54

Fine sands of medi- 28


um density
Sands, fine and
43
dense
Sands of medium
38
grain size and medium density
Layer Sands of medium
50
17b
grain size, dense
for cretaceous sands the values are borrowed from regional tables

15*

27

8.30

3.01

32*

37

13.21

3.03

30*

29

9.46

2.96

43*

33

14.37

2.99

37*

38

12.71

2.99

47*

48

16.72

2.99

Analysis of results in Table 5 for the 2nd neighborhood Yuzny in Domodedovo shows that the
transfer factors for Upper Jurassic clays and clay loams on the test site feature greater scatter than
those at the site of the 1st neighborhood and vary between 6.92 and 7.47 with 7.2 mean value, which is
close to the mean value in neighborhood 1.
But the obtained values of the transfer factor are less than the values in relationships (1) and (2) that
could result from the tests being carried out with 0.06 m2 test plates that give, as a rule, diminished
values of stiffness modulus (Epl).
3 SUMMARY
In view of the above statements the following conclusions could be drawn: for high-rise construction
on deep footings, sitting on pre-quaternary deposits, a thorough revision is required for current regulations for soils in construction activity areas, specific for each region (especially so for pre-quaternary
deposits). In our view the future belongs to regional regulations that should be developed on the basis
of strict compliance with mandatory requirements to high-rank regulations.
Table 5. Comparative table of stiffness modulus, measured by various methods, and of conversion coefficients for soil
CPT resistance of Upper Jurassic soils at site 2 of neighborhood Yuzhny in Domodedovo
Layer

Stiffness modulus, , P

Soil name,
geological index

Lab
tests
(what
tests?)

Upper Jurassic deposits (J3)


Layer Clay loams medium 21
11
hard, stiff plastic
Layer Clays hard and me- 32
12
dium hard

Values and factors

Triaxial
tests

CPT

PLT

CP
Recom22.1333 mended
0.2011 values

CPT resistance qc

Scale factor
from CPT to
PLT
k= Epl / qc

20

21

2.81

7.47

40

27

17
22
27
37

22

27

3.90

6.92

REFERENCES

SP 22.13330.2011 (). Code of practice. Foundations of buildings and facilities. Moscow: Ministry of Regional Development of russian Federation.
STO 36554501-020-2010 (). 2010. Company standart. Stiffness and strength parameters of Jurassic clay
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and strength parameters of Jurassic clay soils in megalopolis of Moscow). Engineering surveys 12: 36-40.

312

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