Spatial heterogeneity of engineering properties of Zhuhai soft soils

The physical and mechanical parameters of soft soils are the fundamental basis for the design of soft roadbeds. Based on the analysis of amounts of test data in the central area of western Zhuhai, the distribution of soft soils and the laws of spatial anisotropy of parameters are discussed. The distribution contour map of the soft soils is obtained. The pre-consolidation pressure and the unconfined compressive strength increase with depth. The sensitivity and organic matter content are not affected by the change of depth. The water content, liquid limit, plastic limit and plasticity index changing with depth increase first and then decrease. The laws of direct shear strength indexes changing with depth are opposite to those with the water content, liquid limit and plastic limit, and they decrease first and then increase. The results of the in-situ tests are consistent with those obtained by the laboratory experiments, and there are also differences. When using the intensity indexes of laboratory experiments in design, the in-situ test results should be referred to.