This paper presents the prediction of shear strength of oil contaminated clay using fall cone test used to determine the liquid limit of soil. The penetration depth of fall cone is related to water content of soil. Laboratory vane shear can also be related to water content. To explore the relative correlation between penetration depth of fall cone and laboratory vane shear, both fall cone tests and laboratory vane shear test were carried out with water contents of soil. The developed empirical relationships in this studys showed that the shear strength is reduced to 3.9% with 1% increase of oil content. And, the lesser initial water content of contaminated clay, the more shear strength of contaminated clay is affected by oil content.

Keywords: oil content;shear strength;fall cone test;laboratory vane test;