Discussion on Tunis Soft Soil Sensitivity

In Tunis City, the sensitivity of the marine deposits at shallow depth (z = 0-20 m) varies significantly. The influence of the process of the leaching out of Tunis soft soil on its geotechnical parameters is a focal point in this research. This process leads finally to moderate levels of sensitivity for Tunis clays since it appears to happen in a two steps with increasing sensitivity. The "hard water'' leaching out and the dispersive action of organic matter (humus) lead unexpectedly to higher but still moderate level of sensitivity as measured on many Tunis sites. These sensitivity variations result from the combination of leaching out with hard ground water and high content of organic matter. This sensitivity attracted our attention and remains of high interest for the study of the behaviour of the Tunis soft clay.