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Thick, marine clay deposits in valleys along the Norwegian coast are occasionally subjected to large landslides involving quick clay. Detailed mapping of the extent of quick clay is of great interest for planning and protection purposes, as the position of quick clay within slopes has a major impact on the landslide risk. Ground conditions in the small valley of Buvika, mid-Norway, are characterized by thick occurrences of quick clay, which are documented in numerous geotechnical investigations. The resistivity method is potentially well suited for outlining pockets of quick clay since quick clay has a slightly higher electric resistivity (10-80 Om) than intact unleached clay (1-10 Om). This is due to a higher salt content in the latter. These relations are supported in this study by pore-water salt content measurements. The acquired resistivity profiles are compared with other geophysical data and geotechnical drilling information. Results are promising, and acquired resistivity profiles are interpreted in terms of quick-clay extents, stratigraphy, bedrock influence, and groundwater drainage patterns. Mismatch between intersecting resistivity profiles may be an indication of local geological variations.

The steady-state lines (SSLs) for sand–silt mixtures with various fines contents (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 30%, 50%, 70%, and 94%) were studied. It was indicated that the location of the SSL in the e–p′ space is different for each mixture, but the SSLs are parallel. In the e – ln p′ plot, the SSLs are similar for the mixtures with a fines content of less than the transitional fines content (TFC) when tested under drained and undrained conditions and the intergranular and interfine void ratios are used. The data diverge when the fines contents are equal to or greater than the TFC, even though the interfine void ratios are used. The results of the tests conducted under drained and undrained conditions produced a unique SSL in the p′–q space for each material. Different SSLs in the p′–q space were observed for the studied materials, and the friction angle at steady state varied in the range of 37.3°–42.2°. The study showed that the SSLs can be represented by one line in tests under drained conditions if the fines contents are less (0%–30%) than the TFC and the corrected intergranular void ratios are used. The lines can also be represented by one line for sand–silt mixtures with high fines contents (50%–94%) if the corrected interfine void ratios are used instead of void ratios. Key words: steady-state line, sand–silt mixtures, transitional fines content, drained and undrained triaxial tests.

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Bottomsets from glaciomarine deltas situated stratigraphically below and above the Weichselian maximum glaciation till at Skorgenes, western Norway, were tested for consolidation in an attempt to quantify the ice thickness at the time of deposition of the till. The value of the preconsolidation pressure in the lower unit (15 ± 1 MPa), indicates an ice thickness over the site of some 1350 ± 90 m. This is, however, only considered a minimum because values of preconsolidation pressures normally are lower than actual ice thickness would suggest due to incomplete drainage of the bed during consolidation. The estimated ice thickness indicates an ice surface some 400 m above the lower limit of the block field in the area, suggesting that this limit can not be used as a criterion for reconstructing the upper glacier surface for the Weichselian maximum glaciation in western Norway. Also, the nearest mountain peaks seemingly were completely ice covered, suggesting that no nunataks were present in that area.

A. Gylland et al. ABSTRACT 25A detailed characterisation of the quick clay underlying the NTNU research site at Tiller, 26 Trondheim is presented. The objective of the work is to provide guidance on quick clay 27 parameters to engineers and researchers working with similar clays in Scandinavia and 28North America especially on landslide hazard assessment. The material is lightly 29 overconsolidated and is characterised by its high degree of structure and very high 30 sensitivity (quick clay). Clay and water contents are both about 40%. The plasticity index 31 is low (5%). This relates to the low active minerals of the clay and silt fractions (illite / 32 chlorite and quartz / feldspars respectively).

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