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Unconsolidated, unsaturated material strength

Unconsolidated, unsaturated material strength

Unconsolidated, unsaturated material strength

(OP)
Looking for suggestions on how to characterize the strength of unconsolidated, dry or moist spoil.  The proposal is to construct a cut slope in a previously strip-mined area.  The area was reclaimed with cast (loose) spoil.  In-place density testing indicates the spoil is between 80-90% MDD.  Material is generally classified as GC.  Some of the material is moist, but none of it is saturated.  

My previous thoughts --

(1) Effective strength from a CU test would not characterize the material as the test consolidates the material before shearing.  This does not represent proposed conditions.

(2) I have been told total strength from a UU-test would not apply as the material is not saturated, although the UU could simulate the in-place density.

Anyone run into a similar situation in the past or have any suggestions to test the strength of this material?  Thank you for any help you can lend.

RE: Unconsolidated, unsaturated material strength

METHOD 1:
Take a bulk sample, recompact it to the field density and run a direct shear test on it.

METHOD 2:
Guess that the friction angle will be about 33 degrees (or so) and design a slope for 2H:1V.

f-d

¡papá gordo ain’t no madre flaca!

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