STATISTICAL EVALUATION OF GEOTECHNICAL CORRELATIONS

Abstract

Geotechnical correlations are widely used because it can provide fast and cost-effective means
of parameter estimation using simple tests. Most of the current correlations were derived from data fitting of
measurements for specific site conditions and need to be evaluated before used in other sites. During the
correlation development, the deviation of the correlation from the measured values was evaluated using
simple statistical measures. A better method of correlation evaluation may reduce the overall deviation of the
geotechnical parameter. Amended Theil Inequality Coefficient (ATIC) is proposed as an evaluation tool
because it has the advantage that it considers both position and trend conformities between observed and
correlated values. To address the efficiency and rationality of ATIC, evaluation of, 92 compression index
correlations by ATIC and different statistical measures was carried out. Comparison between the results
showed that ATIC is efficient in assessing the best and worst correlations and it can be considered a good
tool for correlations evaluation.