Effect of confining pressure and loading frequency on dynamic characteristics of Batu Pahat marine clay

Abstract

This paper presents the laboratory study on the dynamic characteristics of marine clay subject to cyclic load over a long period of time. Remoulded marine clay samples were used to conduct the experiments using a dynamic triaxial machine. Confining pressure and loading frequency were varied while pore pressure development, resilient strains and plastic strain resulting from the application of cyclic loading were observed. The results acquired from this study revealed that as soon as the cyclic loading was introduced, it induced pore pressure that triggered the rapid accumulation of permanent strain and gradual increase in resilient strain. However, after the strain reached a stable value, the rate of accumulation of the permanent deformation started decreasing. The results also showed that an increase in confining pressure improved the marine clay resistance to cyclic loading. Similarly, when the loading frequency increased, it caused a decrease in strain generation and vice versa.