PREDICTION OF THE UNDRAINED SHEAR-STRENGT H VERSUS CONSOLIDATION PRESSURE RELATIONSHIP OF SUPERFICIAL MARINE-SEDIMENTS

Marine sediments' peak shear strength evolution depends on the consoli dation pressure value. Measurements made on Gabon continental shelf sa mples show a specific behaviour at low strength range although shear s trength tends to grow linearly with the consolidation pressure when it takes higher values. This trend corresponds with classical empirical results. Tests have been performed with oedometer cells at various con fining pressures in order to quantify the peak shear strength evolutio n at various consolidation pressures. It is shown that one can predict the specific peak shear strength profile at any depth for a given sed iment, using an accurate mathematical model.