Evaluating modified Cam clay parameters from undrained triaxial compression data using targeted optimization

The widely used modified Cam clay soil model requires five soil parameters. In simulations of standard triaxial tests these parameters appear in certain combinations. An efficient and practical strategy for deriving these parameters is presented in which visual and numerical optimization techniques are used to estimate the values of these combinations in sequence. Selecting parameters using triaxial tests with stress levels similar to those expected to be important in the ground helps to ensure that the values are appropriate for the application and reduces the extent of the extrapolation required from the region of stress space explored in these tests.