Undrained anisotropy of K-0-consolidated silt

Direct measurements of the initial shear strength and yielding anisotropy o f a dense, K-0-consolidated silt are described and interpreted within a bou nding-surface framework. The experiments were performed using the Imperial College large hollow cylinder apparatus, in which samples were sheared undr ained with a range of orientations, alpha, of the major principal stress, s igma(1), following initial K-0 consolidation. The interpretation is aided b y data from oedometer and triaxial stress path tests. Strongly anisotropic stiffness, yielding, undrained strength, and mobilized angle of shearing re sistance, phi', characteristics are revealed. The effects of drained and un drained stress changes applied to the samples after K-0 consolidation are a lso described.