Experimental determination of the shear strength of peat from standard undrained triaxial tests: correcting for the effects of end restraint

Conventional triaxial tests on peats are strongly criticised due to the very high shear strength parameters obtained from standard data elaboration, leading unrealistic factors of safety when used in geotechnical design and assessment. Various operational approaches have been proposed literature overcome this difficulty; however, they seem lack consistent mechanical background. Some issues related evaluation come non-uniform stress strain states developing samples well before failure is attained, end restraint effects. Undrained compression were performed reconstituted peat examine influence deviatoric stress, excess pore pressure response. Samples tested with rough platens modified reduce friction between sample bottom top caps. Four different initial height-to-diameter ratios examined, consequences The results indicate that contributes dramatically overestimating peat, increase both calculated measured at sample. Suggestions given quantify interpretation data, an attempt suggest viable procedures determine more reliable effective undrained tests.