Deformation Behavior of Saturated Soft Clay under Cyclic Loading with Principal Stress Rotation
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The paper discusses the behaviour of soft clay under dynamic loading in torsional shear tests with principal stress rotation. Based on the traditional Hardin-Drnevich (H-D) model, the Authors were proposed own modified model to predict growth pore pressure and axial strain as the number of cycles increases.
The work has an experimental and numerical nature. The issue presented in this manuscript is important in the context of the strength and stiffness degradation of weak cohesive soil under long-term traffic loading.
In my opinion the manuscript is interesting and rather well explained, although, Dear Authors, it requires some explanations (additional description in the study) and modifications before it can be accepted for publication. Particular attention is needed at the following:
ALL MANUSCRIPT - The manuscript does not contain the correct sections. Where are: Test results and Discussion?
INTRODUCTION / TEST RESULTS AND DISCUSSION - The paper concerns the cyclic loading, and the Authors do not comment on the influence of the basic parameters of this process (frequency, amplitude, loading rate) on the soil response. Overconsolidation ratio is also important. Literature review is insufficient in these sections.
TEST PROCEDURE - The are no photos from the samples preparation and the tests.
CONLUSIONS - There are no significant conclusions from an engineering point of view and hence are not appropriate for a journal paper.
REFERENCES - The format and writing of all references should be revised.
I have marked all general and specific comments and also my corrections in the attached manuscript copy.
Good luck!
Comments for author File: 
Comments.pdf
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
This paper presents a case study of the deformation properties of soft clays under traffic loading with principal stress rotation. A series of cyclic torsional shear tests were conducted on the Wenzhou soft clays under different torsional cyclic stress ratio and degrees of principal stress rotation. The result of modified pore pressure model and a H-D backbone curve model looks in good relation with the experimental results. However, the authors need to address the following comments to improve the organization of the manuscript for publication:
- The author should revise the paper as a Case Study.
- The paper includes material methods and results. The authors should revise the paper to include a discussion section in the paper as well.
- Line 268 and 269: “The results show that the predicted values are larger than the measured values, values, which is relatively safer for the actual project and improves the safety factor of the project.” Please indicate relatively how much the predicted values are larger than experimental values?! (Please use numbers)
- There are a number of misspellings in the manuscript (as an example in the introduction line 101” implications.to analyze”). Check the entire paper for the misspellings.
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
Respected Authors,
I thank you for taking account of all my comments and suggestions. I appreciate your afforts to make your study more attractive for the Reader. No further comments. I recommend to publish this maniscript.
Best regards,
Reviewer
