In Situ and Laboratory Testing of Boom Clay at Shallow Depths in Belgium

The shear strength and compression properties of stiff Boom clay from Belgium

at a depth of about 16.5 to 28 m were investigated by means of cone penetration and

laboratory testing. The latter consisted of index classification, constant rate of strain,

triaxial, direct simple shear and unconfined compression tests. The Boom clay samples

exhibited strong swelling tendencies. The suction pressure was measured via different

procedures and was compared to the expected in situ stress. The undrained shear strength

profile determined from cone penetration tests (CPTs) was not compatible with the triaxial

and direct simple shear measurements, which gave significantly lower undrained shear

strength values. Micro-computed tomography (μCT) scans of the samples showed the

presence of pre-existing discontinuities which may cause inconsistencies in the comparison

of the laboratory test results with in situ data. The experimental data gathered in this study

provide useful information for analyzing the mechanical behaviour of Boom clay at shallow

depths considering that most investigations in the literature have been carried out on deep

Boom clay deposits.

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