Evaluation of Compression Index for Natural Clay Using the Compression Characteristic of Reconstituted Clay

The compression index, representing the compressibility of clay, is generally obtained from the consolidation test, or predicted by empirical correlations using soil properties. However, empirical methods have regional limitations, because the compression index is affected not only by soil properties but also by site characteristics, such as deposition conditions and stress history. In this study, a method evaluating the compression index from typical soil properties is suggested using the characteristics of reconstituted clay. By analyzing the consolidation test results of Busan clay, the suggested method is verified, and the analysis of prediction error is carried out. It is shown that the proposed method evaluates the compression index more accurately than empirical methods previously suggested. The prediction errors occur by assumption, and are inversely proportional to ecross/e0, obviously