Abstract: This paper presents the laboratory test results of the consolidation test using the high pressure consolidation equipment and the consolidated, undrained shear test using true triaxial shear test equipment on the undisturbed Guangzhou silty clay.  The relationship between the shear dialatancy, d , and the stress ratio, η , is plotted based on the test results. This paper also discusses the impact of intermediate principal stress ratio, b_σ , and the angle, α between the major principal stress and the direction of sedimentation on the shear dilatancy of the soil mass. The test results indicates that the dilatancu of the soil mass decreases with the increase of the b_σ(intermediate principal stress ratio) and the α (angle between the major principal stress and direction of sedimentation). The structural properties of the soil such as the heterogeneous and factors triggering the heterogeneous properties of soil mass affect the shear dilatancy as well as the shear strength.

Key words: Structural Clay, True Triaxial Testing, Consolidated Undrained Shear Tests, Soil Dilatancy, Stress Ratio