Evaluation of microscopic behaviour for clay by using micro-indenter

In this study, the shear strength determined by a micro indentation test was examined focusing on the quantitative evaluation of the micro-scale mechanical behaviour of clay. The comparison of the cohesion obtained from the micro indentation test and unconfined compression test for clay samples indicated in the micro indentation test results by cyclic loading underestimate the cohesion while those by monotonie loading estimate the cohesion accurately. It is noted that the loading rate should be selected according to the clay sample because strength is affected by the rate effect. From these results, it was found that the microscopic mechanical behaviour of clay can be evaluated by mean of the micro indentation test.