Abstract: Two hundred and one groups of cone penetration test (CPT) data from 19 projects in Shanghai are adopted. The distribution of clay, silty clay and silt in Shanghai area are obtained. The specific penetration resistance (Ps), cohesive strength (cu) and frictional angle (?u) of consolidated quick shear test, void ratio (e), and plasticity index (Ip) are varied along the soil depth. The soil shear strength (Su) of clay, silty clay and silt are correlated with specific penetration resistance (Ps) of CPT. The correlations between Su and Ps are summarized for various types of soft soils in China. It has been found that the correlation coefficients of clays obtained from this study are similar to the published data. Also the in situ soil correlations of silty clay and silt are given. These correlations of Su with Ps are useful for classified soil and valuable to engineering application. According to correlations in this paper, the calibrated correlation coefficients can be used to determine Su based on Ps for foundation pit stability calculation. The results of the study can be used for geological investigation and engineering design work.

Key words: shear strength, specific penetration resistance, correlations, soil type