Mexico city soil behavior at different strains: Observations and physical interpretation

The unique mechanical properties of Mexico City soils plot as extreme value s on most geotechnical engineering charts. The purpose of this study is to analyze salient properties and to propose conceptual models to explain them . In particular, mechanical parameters synthesized from published laborator y data are systematically organized in terms of strain level. Three strain regions are identified. The threshold strains at the boundaries between the se strain regions are examined in terms of microscale processes that partic ipate at different strains.