Reliability of FVT for sensitivity evaluation of Shanghai soft clay

The geotechnical investigation data from a real project in Shanghai as well as other relevant published data are analyzed. It is found that the sensitivity obtained by the FVT test is significantly smaller than the results of the unconfined compression test (UCT). Thus the sensitivity of soft clay will be underestimated by FVT. The vane-shear remolding method (not the artifical remolding method) makes the FVT obtain much higher remolded strength and therefore the lower sensitivity than UCT. The influences of test methods and in-situ stress state can be neglected. It is pointed out that much attention should be paid to this phenomenon in order to properly evaluate the sensitivity of the marine soft clay distributed in the coastal areas of China.