Minimal peak undrained strength of silty soils

Loose non-plastic soils are very sensitive to the changes in void ratio, which makes both undisturbed sampling and confident estimation of the void ratio practically impossible. The influence of fabric on the behaviour of soil adds to the inadequacy of testing on the specimens reconstituted in the laboratory. To investigate the effects of void ratio and fabric of loose non-plastic soils, a series of triaxial tests were performed on the specimens prepared using three different methods of preparation. It was found that the peak strength decreases with an increase in void ratio, but only until the minimal value, corresponding to the loosest state. The loosest state varies with the method of preparation or fabric. However, it was found that, although the fabric significantly affects the behaviour of soil, including the void ratio of the loosest state and residual strength, the peak strength is practically independent of the fabric.