Comparison of In-Situ Vane, Cone Penetrometer, and Laboratory Test Results for Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Clays

Site investigations were recently performed offshore at three prospective plat-form sites in water depths between 400 and 500 m in the Gulf of Mexico. Soil conditions at the sites generally range from very soft clays near the seafloor to very stiff clays at 120- to 150-m penetration. Analyses of stress history indicate the soils at these locations are generally normally consolidated. Laboratory tests were performed on recovered specimens to deter-mine the undrained shear strength. Standard laboratory miniature vane shear tests and unconsolidated-undrained triaxial tests were performed in addition to consolidated-undrained tests using stress history and normalized soil engineering properties (SHANSEP) procedures. Tests performed in the field included in-situ vane and cone penetrometer. Cone factors N_k were computed using in-situ vane shear strengths as the reference strength.

This paper compares the results of consolidated-undrained (SHANSEP) laboratory and in-situ tests to determine a relationship that may be used to correlate these results. The effects of soil strength and plasticity are examined and used to correlate shear strength with the liquidity index. A comparison is also made between peak and residual in-situ vane strengths.

This paper further describes how a combination of these in-situ and laboratory tests can be used to characterize a deepwater site for foundation design. Recommendations for future site investigations are also discussed.