At-Rest Lateral Stress Coefficient in Sands from Common Field Methods.

A new relationship for estimating the in situ at-rest lateral stress coefficient (K0) in sands consisting predominantly of silica particles is derived in this technical note using the calibration chamber test results reported in the literature. Variables in the relationship, in order of significance, are overconsolidation ratio, dilatometer horizontal stress index, and normalized cone tip resistance. Values of in situ K0 estimated with the new relationship generally compare well with K0 determined from self-boring pressuremeter tests. Estimates of K0 in Pleistocene sands are, on average, about 10% higher than in Holocene sands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]