Elasto-Plastic Volume Change of Unsaturated Compacted Clay

by V. Sivakumar, Univ of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom,
S. J. Wheeler, Univ of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Unsaturated Soils

Abstract:

Isotropic compression tests were performed on samples of unsaturated compacted kaolin in a modified triaxial cell that allowed separate control of pore water pressure and pore air pressure. Each test began with an equalization stage, during which the suction was reduced to a pre-selected value while maintaining the mean net stress constant. This was followed by a ramped consolidation stage, in which the mean net stress was increased at constant suction. The variation of specific volume during ramped consolidation showed clear evidence of a yield point and an elasto-plastic form of behaviour. The complex pattern of swelling and collapse observed during equalization was also explained by elastro-plastic behaviour and the existence of a yield curve in suction versus mean net stress space.

Subject Headings: Soil suction | Unsaturated soils | Water pressure | Soil stress | Soil properties | Soil analysis | Elastoplasticity

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