Strain degradation of saturated clay under cyclic loading

Soil degradation is studied from the point of view of cyclic axial strain through stress-controlled triaxial tests on Hangzhou normally consolidated clay. Different influence factors on strain, such as cyclic stress ratio, overconsolidation ratio, and frequency, are studied. Degradation index is redefined according to the tests. A mathematical model for strain degradation is presented and verified.Key words: cyclic loading, saturated clay, strain degradation, mathematical model.