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It is suggested that the structure of clays may be distinguished simply as either ‘sedimentation’ or ‘post-sedimentation’, depending on whether gross yield in one-dimensional compression in void ratio-vertical effective stress plane occurs on the original sedimentation compression curve or to the right of this curve. A behavioural framework is proposed for clays having either of these structures, the magnitude of the strength sensitivity St when consolidated to the gross yield state (in compression) quantifying the effects of structure. The behaviour of natural clay consolidated to stress states pre-gross yield is related to the undisturbed clay sensitivity St; the gross yield curve is generally of arch shape, its size relative to that of the reconstituted clay depending on this sensitivity. Clays having St > 1 consolidated to stresses beyond gross yield exhibit post-gross yield behaviour in which values of sensitivity reduce with increasing post-yield strain. It is found that following normalization for composition (using the stress ratio at critical state M), volume (using p*e) and structure (using the sensitivity at gross yield St ), many different clays have the same gross yield curve. A basically frictional linear flow rule is found to operate from small or medium to large strains for both natural and reconstituted clays.

Results are presented of an extensive laboratory and field investigation of a Pleistocene stiff clay in its natural and reconstituted states, including constant rate of strain oedometer and triaxial tests over a wide stress range, scanning electron microscopy and chemical micro-analysis. The relationships between the structure of the clay, its geological history and its mechanical response are demonstrated. The structure of the clay is strongly influenced by bonding, apparently largely due to a film of amorphous calcite which developed in situ at the end of normal consolidation. The effects of structure on the stiffness of the clay are identified, with sensitivity as the parameter quantifying the mechanical effects of structure. A frictional flow rule is found generally to be applicable over a wide strain range, including yield, even when strong bonding is present, although its form is influenced by structure. A new normalization shows that the gross yield surface is isotropically hardening in terms of both volume and structural change. L'article présente les résultats de recherches approfondies, en laboratoire et sur le terrain, sur une argile raide du Pléistocène à l'état naturel et reconstituée, y compris des essais oedométriques et triaxiaux à taux de contrainte constant, sur un large éventail de contraintes, ainsi que les résultats de travaux de microscopie électronique à balayage et de micro-analyse chimique. Les auteurs montrent les rapports entre la structure de l'argile, son histoire géologique et sa réaction mécanique. La structure de l'argile est fortement influencée par l'adhérence, qui semble en grande partie due à une pellicule de calcite amorphe qui s'est formée sur place à la fin de la consolidation normale. Les auteurs identifient les effets de la structure sur la rigidité de l'argile, la sensibilité étant le paramètre qui quantifie les effets mécaniques de la structure. On constate qu'un écoulement de frottement s'applique généralement à un large éventail de contraintes, y compris à la limite d'élasticité, même quand l'adhérence est forte, bien que sa forme soit influencée par la structure. Une nouvelle normalisation montre que la surface brute d'écoulement subit un durcissement isotrope tant en volume qu'en changement structural.

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