In the last 20 years, there has been an international effort to develop
approaches to experimentally measure the petrophysical and geomechanical
properties of hydrate-bearing core samples. The measurements are
extremely challenging because sub-sampling, sample preparation, and
testing must be conducted at high pressure and low temperature. Despite
these challenges, multiple laboratories are now measuring the
geotechnical properties of hydrate-bearing sediments. However, there
have been relatively few attempts to validate these measurements. We
developed experimental protocols to accurately conduct zero-lateral
strain tests at effective stresses up to 20 MPa using a pressure core
triaxial device. We directly measure displacement during compression
through periodic instantaneous undrained loading. To evaluate the
accuracy of our measurement system, we conducted a benchmark study to
compare properties obtained in our pressure core test chamber against
classical geotechnical devices. We prepared a Boston Blue Clay specimen
through re-sedimentation. Comprehensive properties databases favor the
use of this material for comparison analyses. A compression test to 20
MPa accurately reproduced the compression, lateral stress, and
permeability behavior demonstrated in previous testing programs. This
experimental procedure provides a convenient framework for future
validation studies in a broad range of pressure core laboratory devices.