Correlation Between Yield Stress of Silty Mud Sediments and Continuous Oscillatory Shearing Properties

Analyzing the rheological properties of silty beds subjected to continuous oscillatory shear loading is crucial for understanding the morphological deformation of the seabed and ensuring safety in geological and marine engineering applications.In this study,the effects of oscillatory shearing properties on the yield stress(S_(u))of silty sediments were quantitatively investigated.The effects of oscillatory shear strength(0-3),water content(26.6%-70.84%),and particle diameter(8.79-50μm)were examined extensively through a series of laboratory tests.The results indicated that the three aforementioned parameters were the major factors that affected the rheological characteristics of silty sediments.Furthermore,their effects could be elucidated using the yield stress of cohesive sediments as the indicator parameter.The ratio of yield stress(S_(u)/S_(u0))varied as the oscillatory shear strength increased up to a critical value,Λ_(cr).S_(u)bsequently,the ratio remained at a constant value.It was deduced that the yield stress decreased with increasing oscillatory shear strength forΛ<Λ_(cr),when the sediments were in a non-equilibrium fluidization stage.WhenΛ>Λ_(cr),the sediments entered an equilibrium fluidization stage,and the yield stress remained almost constant,irrespective of the oscillatory shear strength.Furthermore,during the equilibrium fluidization stage,it was observed that the ratio S_(u)/S_(u0)did not vary with water content but decreased as the particle diameter increased.Finally,based on regression analysis of the experimental data for non-equilibrium and equilibrium fluidization stages,a correlation between yield stress of silty sediments and continuous oscillatory shearing properties was proposed.This correlation can aid in understanding the changes in solid resistance and assessing safety in piling engineering.Furthermore,it can provide a theoretical guidance for reducing soil resistance in marine structures using mechanical vibrations.