Undrained Cyclic Response of K0–Consolidated Stiff Cretaceous Clay under Wheel Loading Conditions

Optimal whole life design for railways, highways, runways, and metro lines requires an accurate assessment of how their underlying geomaterials respond to large numbers wheel-loading cycles. This paper presents experimental study on a natural UK stiff clay with cyclic triaxial (CT) hollow cylinder apparatus (CHCA) that imposed K0 stress conditions. The focus is Gault clay, high overconsolidation ratio (OCR) marine deposited in the Cretaceous, whose mechanical behavior significantly anisotropic situ values exceed unity. outcrops under sections most major highways radiating out London, as well HS1 new HS2 high-speed railways. investigation explored principal rotation implicit wheel loading increases magnitudes changes sign vertical strain accumulation, accelerating resilient modulus degradation accentuating stress–strain hysteresis, all which affect pavement or rail-track serviceability. clay’s deformation pore pressure responses are categorized into stable, metastable, unstable patterns. Comparisons related studies low OCR, soft from Wenzhou southeastern China, confirm generally stiffer prefailure different response. greater brittleness also emphasized; particle reorientation occurs readily along distinct shear bands, leading dramatic strength reductions have impact slope foundation stability call appropriate caution practical design.