Earth pressure coefficient at rest of soil

K0

varies due to different stress conditions. Besides

it interacts with other physical and mechanical properties of the soils. Based on the geological survey of Jinan subway project

the horizontal pressure of the thick alluvial cohesive soil from Yellow River in northwest of Jinan was tested by the in-situ soil pressure tester

K0 stepped blade (KSB). To verify the test results

other test methods are also adopted

such as the lateral loading test

indoor K0 test by side pressure gauge as well as common calculation formula taking internal friction angle and plasticity index of cohesive soil into consideration. According to the comparative analysis of the results by different methods

the results can be obtained as follows. In the form of exponential interpolation

test results from KSB are superior in presuming the in-situ earth pressure coefficient at rest. The cohesive soil in the Yellow River alluvial layer can be approximately in normal consolidation saturated state inside the range of 0-20 m. K0 changes between 0.4 to 0.7 and decreases with the increase of depth. The value of K0 is on the high side with Jaky formula’s result and on the low side with indoor test. The calculation results obtained by Jaky formula are close to that of measured by KSB when introduce equivalent angle of internal friction and internal friction angle obtained by consolidated quick shear test.