Compressibility of Ultra-Soft Soil

by Myint Win Bo (DST Consulting Engineers, Canada)

This book describes the compression behaviour of ultra-soft soil upon additional load application. Various types of laboratory compression tests suitable for this type of soil are discussed, such as tests using small and large-scale consolidometers, hydraulic Rowe cells under different drainage conditions, constant rate of loading and constant rate of strain tests. It also explains how to determine the transition point, which differentiates the two distinct behaviours between slurry state and soil state deformation. Methods to determine the compression indices and coefficients of consolidation at different stress ranges, which are required for the predicton of magnitude of settlement and time rate of settlement, are developed. An equation for predicting settlement of ultra-soft soil in both the slurry and soil stages is elaborated upon. These proposed methods of characterization or analyses- which are validated against published data, laboratory measurements and a case study- serve as useful tools for designing and constructing embankments and for carrying out land reclamation on ultra-soft soil.

Contents: Sedimentation and Consolidation; Models and Analogy; Characterization of Physical Properties and Mineralogy of the Soil; Compression Tests with Large-Scale Consolidometer; Compression Tests on Slurry with Small-Scale Consolidometer; Compression Tests on Ultra-Soft Soil with Hydraulic Consolidation Cell; Continuous Loading Tests on Ultra-Soft Soil; Constant Rate of Strain Test on Ultra-Soft Soil; Verification of Proposed Formulae and Models with Laboratory Measurements; Case Study.

About the Author : Dr. M W BO (Bo Myint Win) is a Geoservices Director at DST Consulting Engineers, Canada. He is a Fellow of the Geological Society, London, UK and a Fellow of Institution of Civil Engineers, UK. He is also a professional geologist, charterd Geologist, Chartered Scientist, Chartered Engineer, Chartered Environmentalist, European Geologist and European Engineer. Dr Bo is a member of the panel of experts for the Federation of European Geologists and also a committee member of Technical Committee 39 for the International Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, committee member of Technical Committee for International Geosythetic Society and also a committee member of Soil and Rock Committee D-18 for American Society of Material Testing. 

Laboratory Testing of Soils, Rocks and Aggregates:

Authors: Dr. Nagaratnam Sivakugan, Dr. A. Arulrajah, Dr. Myint Win Bo

Testing rocks and aggregates are rarely covered in soil testing books and there are no separate books on rock or aggregate testing. Laboratory Testing of Soils, Rocks and Aggregates includes laboratory testing methods for most tests for soils as well as rocks and aggregates, which are becoming increasingly common in professional practice and university teaching. Part A gives a general overview of laboratory measurements, equipment, units, safety and standards. Part B covers soil tests from grain size distribution to consolidation, triaxial and direct shear tests. Part C covers rock tests, which includes the indirect tensile strength test and point load test. Part D covers the common tests carried out routinely on aggregates, which includes the aggregate impact value test and Los Angeles abrasion test. Each test consists of the following descriptive parts: Objective, Standards, Introduction, Procedure, and Cost. References are made to ASTM International (ASTM), Australian (AS), British (BS) and International Society of Rock Mechanics (ISRM) standards and any differences are noted.

Key Features:
•    Contains virtually all current laboratory tests for soils, rocks and aggregates in one volume
•    Presents the tests with the most concise and reader-friendly explanation possible, but in adequate detail for both professionals and students
•    Includes references to international standards: ASTM, ISRM, BS, and AS
•    The authors are practicing consulting engineers as well as university professors – Dr. Sivakugan is the author of the best-selling book, Geotechnical Engineering: A Practical Problem Solving Approach
•    WAV offers downloadable spreadsheets that can be used to develop laboratory specific datasheets and easily modified to your style available from the Web Added Value Download Resource Center at www.jrosspub.com

Co-Author, Dr. Myint Win Bo is a senior principal/director (Geo-Services) at DST Consulting Engineers, Canada. He graduated with a BSc (geology) from the University of Rangoon and received a postgraduate diploma in hydrogeology from University College, London and an M.Sc degree from the University of London. He obtained his PhD in civil engineering (specializing in geotechnics) from the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. He is a Fellow of the Geological Society, London, and a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, UK. He is also a professional engineer, professional geoscientist, international professional engineer, United Kingdom, and a chartered geologist, scientist, engineer, environmentalist, European geologist, and European engineer. Dr. Bo is also serving in several national and international professional societies as a committee member. Dr. Bo is an experienced practicing engineer as well as educator, and he has been giving several special lectures and workshops at international conferences, tertiary institutions, and professional associations. Additionally, Dr. Bo is an adjunct professor at the University of Ottawa and Lakehead University in Canada as well as adjunct professor at the Swinburne University of Technology in Australia. He is the author of more than 50 scientific and technical papers in refereed international journals, 70 more in refereed international conference proceedings, and three textbooks. Dr. Bo is an active reviewer for more than 6 international journals.