Second Conference of Junior Researchers in Civil Engineering

88

Empirical correlations of overconsolidation ratio, coefficient of earth

pressure at rest and undrained strength
Vendel Jzsa
BME Department of Geotechnics, e-mail: vjozsa@[Link]

Abstract
Generally, parameters of the in situ soil state are determined from laboratory and in-situ tests. The stresses and the deformations of
the soil depend on the stress history, among the others. The degree of the preloading is classically expressed with the
overconsolidation ratio (OCR). The goal of this paper is to compare the values of OCR which are determined from onedimensional oedometer tests and from cone penetration tests (CPT) as well. Determination of OCR from CPT is based on
measured values of net and effective cone tip resistance. Three mathematical functions are described from laboratory and CPT
tests. The correlation coefficients (R2) of the functions are very high, ranged between 0.82 and 0.93. Relationship for OCR,
coefficient of earth pressure at rest and undrained strength were calculated.
Keywords: cone penetration test, overconsolidation ratio, stress history, coefficient of earth pressure at rest, undrained strength

Introduction
Classical CPT probe, measured cone resistance (qc), sleeve friction (fs) and pore pressure measurements (u2)
were used in Dunajvros, middle of Hungary, right side of the Danube. The depth of the boreholes and the
cone penetrations in the analysed section were about 30 m and the ground-water level was detected 10 m
below surface. OCR values were determined from 22 soil samples of 7 boreholes and from 13 CPT diagrams
with 53 different depths. Three calculation methods were compared and presented. The regression between
OCR and depth was calculated with Software Wolfram Mathematica.

Stress history and overconsolidation ratio

A.

Stress history from laboratory oedometer tests

The stress history of clay soils is classically determined from one-dimensional oedometer tests on
undisturbing samples. The yield point in one-dimensional loading denotes the preconsolidation stress (p').
In normalized form, the degree of preconsolidation is termed the overconsolidation ratio (eq.1).
OCR =

p
v0

(1)

where v0' is the effective vertical geostatic stress. p' is normally interpreted from oedometer tests from void
ratio (e) - log v0' relationship using the Casagrande graphical technique. Fig. 1 shows the Casagrandes
method for determining p'.
The following steps describe this construction.

Fig. 1. Casagrandes Method for Determining Preconsolidation Stress

Jzsa, V.: Empirical correlations of overconsolidation ratio, coefficient of earth pressure at rest and undrained strength

Second Conference of Junior Researchers in Civil Engineering

89

1. Choose by eye the point of minimum radius (or maximum curvature) on the consolidation curve (point A
in Fig. 1)
2. Draw a line tangent to the curve at point A.
3. Draw a horizontal line from point A.
4. Bisect the angle made by steps 2 and 3.
5. Extend the straight-line portion of the virgin compression curve up to where it meets the bisector line
obtained in step 4. The point of intersection of these two lines is the preconsolidation stress.
The preconsolidation stress was determined from oedometer test using four or five consolidation stress
points with available maximum value of 400 kPa.
B.

Stress history from CPT

For deposits OCR can be expressed by the following simple formula (see [1]).

OCR = k (

qt v 0
)
v 0

(2)

where k is the overconsolidation factor with a range of 0.3 to 0.5 and v0 is the vertical geostatic stress.
For intact clays, a first-order estimate of the preconsolidation stress can be obtained from net cone tip
resistance used k = 0.33 (see [2]).

p = 0.33 (q t v 0 )

(3)

This expression underestimates values for fissured clay. This is because the reason is the macrofabric of
cracks and fractures affect the field measurements of the CPT (see [2]).
From a theoretical perspective, the value of preconsolidation stress can also be ascertained from the effective
cone tip resistance in the case of shoulder filter element (see [2]).

p = 0.60 (qt u 2 )

(4)

Results of analysis
OCR can be evaluated from the following relationship depending depth (z). The following expressions based
on eq.1 (Method A), eq.3 (Method B) and eq.4 (Method C) used Software Wolfram Mathematica.

OCRA ( z ) = 18.306 ( z ) 0.887

(5)

OCRB ( z ) = 29.101 ( z ) 0.803

(6)

OCRC ( z ) = 66.512 ( z ) 0.822

(7)

where z = depth.
The calculated mathematical functions based on the results of previous research and further analysis of soil
and method classification can be resulted more accurate approximation for Hungarian soils. The maximum
value of loading stress of oedometer test was used only 400 kPa resulted lower preconsolidaton stress then
the derived values from in-situ test. Higher loading stress could be resulted more accurate yield point to
define preconsolidation stress.
The obtained functions and calculated correlation coefficient (R2) are shown in Fig.2.
In general low effective vertical stress and high cone tip resistance are resulted unrealistically high OCR in
the upper 3 m thick layer. Calculated values can be usable below 3 m depth for geotechnical software using
finite element method. Another in-situ test - for example self-boring pressiometer should be used to
compare the estimated values and harmonise the calculation methods.
Jzsa, V.: Empirical correlations of overconsolidation ratio, coefficient of earth pressure at rest and undrained strength

Second Conference of Junior Researchers in Civil Engineering

90

Fig. 2. Image of variable OCR with Depth

Coefficient of earth pressure at rest for overconsolidated soils ([Link]) is given with eq. 8. (see [1]).
K [Link] = 0.1 (

qt v 0
)
v 0

(8)

Relationship for OCR and [Link] is shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 3. Relationship for OCR and coefficient of earth pressure at rest

OCR values between 3 m and 30 m depth are used to analyse the functions. The following expressions are
connected to Fig. 3 with method B and method C.
K [Link] (OCR A ) = 0.5015 (OCR A ) 1.1654

(9)

K [Link] (OCR C ) = 0.2716 (OCR C ) 0.7309

(10)

The coefficient of earth pressure at rest from CPT and OCR with method B are not independent of each other
and the relationship are not analysed.
From considerations of criticalstate soil mechanics (CSSM), the undrained strenght (su) from direct shear
Jzsa, V.: Empirical correlations of overconsolidation ratio, coefficient of earth pressure at rest and undrained strength

Second Conference of Junior Researchers in Civil Engineering

91

simple test (DSS) can be expressed in normalized form (see [2]) (eq. 11).
su

v0 '

1
sin( ' ) OCR
2

(11)

where = plastic volumetric strain potential, and = internal friction angle. For clays of low to medium
sensitivity, 0.7 < < 0.8, furthermore for sensitive and structured clays, 0.9 < < 1.0 can be observed (see
[2]). If the parameters and are not known with confidence, eq. 12 can be used (see [2]).
su

v0 '

= 0 .22 OCR 0.80

(12)

The undrained strenght can be estimated from CPT results with the following form
su =

qt v0
14

(13)

thus the undrained strength and OCR with method B are not independent of each other and the relationship
are not analysed.
The relationships for undrained strenght and OCR with method A and method C are presented with eq. 14.
and eq. 15. (see Fig. 4).

Fig. 4. Relationship for Undrained Strength and OCR

OCR values between 3 m and 30 m depth are used in the following functions (eq. 14 and eq. 15).
su

= 0.4991 OCR A

su

= 0.1739 OCR C

v0 '
v0 '

0.8371

0.7984

(14)
(15)

Conclusions
Classical CPT probe with cone resistance (qc), sleeve friction (fs) and pore pressure measurements (u2) were
used in Dunajvros. The depth of the boreholes was ranged between 25-30 m. 22 soil samples from 7
boreholes and 53 characteristic points from 13 CPT diagrams was used in the calculations. Moreover,
different determination methods were compared based on laboratory and in-situ tests. The following
Jzsa, V.: Empirical correlations of overconsolidation ratio, coefficient of earth pressure at rest and undrained strength

Second Conference of Junior Researchers in Civil Engineering

92

behaviours were observed.

1)
Overconsolidation ratio decreased due to depth, depended on basis of determination method. The
upper 3 m thick layer is resulted in unrealistically high values of OCR because of the low effective vertical
stress and high cone tip resistance. Method A provides the lowest values, followed in turn by methods B and
C. The calculated correlation coefficient of the mathematical functions are ranged between 0.82 and 0.93.
2)
The relationship for coefficient of earth pressure at rest for overconsolidated soils and OCR is
estimated with R2 = 0.61 and 0.87. The expressions are independent of the internal friction angle and the
powers of OCR are observed 1.1654 for method A and 0.7309 for method C. Method C could be used to
estimate [Link] if values of OCR are acceptable.
3)
The relationship for undrained strength and OCR is estimated with R2 = 0.54 and 0.93. The results of
method A are shown large variability, therefore approximation of preconsolidation stress should be used by
in-situ tests. Undrained strength increased due to OCR.
Undrained strength, coefficient of earth pressure at rest, stresses and deformations of retaining and other
geotechnical structure can be influenced by overconsolidation ratio, therefore further analyses may be
needed.

Acknowledgement
The work reported in the paper has been developed in the framework of the project Talent care and
cultivation in the scientific workshops of BME" project. This project is supported by the grant TMOP4.2.2.B-10/1--2010-0009.
The author would like to thank to associated professor Zoltn Czap (Budapest University of Technology and
Economics, Department of Geotechnics), Balzs Vsrhelyi (University of Pcs, Department of Structural
Engineering) for helpful advices. The samples and CPT graphs were presented by Roland Tth (GeoEngineering Kft.). The author deeply appreciates him and other persons who contributed.

References
[1] Lunne T., Robertson P.K. and Powell J.J.M.: Cone Penetration Testing in Geotechnical Practice, Taylor & Francis, London,
(2002)
[2] National Cooperative Highway Research Program (Synthesis 368): Cone Penetration Testing, Washington, D.C. (2007)

Jzsa, V.: Empirical correlations of overconsolidation ratio, coefficient of earth pressure at rest and undrained strength