Embankments of hard clayey soils and soft rocks

Abstract

The problems associated with the use of hard clayey soils and soft rocks in fills and embankments is hardly tackled in the geotechnical literature. However this is a matter of increasing interest and importance in geotechnique. ln this paper a state-of-art on this matter is presented. It covers design, construction and control techniques, testing, modelling the behaviour of structures constructed with this type of materials. A granulometric classification is introduced allowing and useful framework to be adopted when designing this type of fills. Particular attention is given to collapse and creep phenomena.