Influence of pore liquid composition on the shear strength of an active clay

This paper describes the results of triaxial tests and direct shear tests on an active clay of the Italian Apennine. The tests were carried out on specimens reconstituted with distilled water and on specimens reconstituted with a 1 M NaCl solution. A set of tests was performed by exposing the specimens to a liquid equal to their pore liquid, and another set on specimens prepared with the solution and exposed to distilled water. The results show that the pore liquid composition strongly influences the peak strength as well as the residual shear strength. Furthermore, exposure of solution-saturated material to distilled water causes noticeable effects on the residual shear strength