Small-strain dynamic characterization of clayey soil from the Texcoco Lake, Mexico

The area occupied by the former Texcoco Lake was part of a system of lakes inside the Basin of Mexico. The subsoil there has been studied in the past but there is still a need for more and more thorough investigations into the dynamic properties of its highly compressible clays. This paper describes the results of an experimental laboratory research in which a triaxial cell fitted with bender elements was used to measure shear wave velocities (Vs) in clay specimens from the former Texcoco Lake. Soil specimens were subjected to isotropic loading–unloading cycles and values of Vs were determined during the saturation stage and after each stress increment or decrement. Our results show that irrespective of the testing method, shear waves velocities differ in no more than 7–15%.