Study of the behavior of Tunis soft clay

Abstract The paper reviews research investigations conducted on Tunis soft clay that is classified as problematic soil. Results obtained from an experimental study carried out on undisturbed Tunis soft clay specimens are presented and interpreted. On the basis of experimental results, the paper discusses which constitutive law can describe at best the observed behavior of Tunis soft clay. The elastoplastic behavior modeled by the hardening soil model is then justified upon the validation of numerical results of oedometer and triaxial tests carried out on undisturbed soft clay specimens. Stage construction of embankment built of Tunis soft clay was analyzed by the FE code Plaxis 2D. This case study well illustrated the need for practicing ground improvement techniques to neutralize the inherent long-term settlement induced in soft clay.