Partially Saturated Soils Research Papers (original) (raw)
The importance of unsaturated soil mechanics stems from the fact that the majority of geotechnical engineering projects are taking place in unsaturated soil zones. Soil suction, especially matric suction, is controlling the unsaturated... more
The importance of unsaturated soil mechanics stems from the fact that the majority of geotechnical engineering projects are taking place in unsaturated soil zones. Soil suction, especially matric suction, is controlling the unsaturated soil behavior. However, measurements and determination of the soil suction is still a concern for geotechnical engineers and researchers regarding its accuracy, practicality, cost, and reliability. In this study, the filter paper method (FPM) has been adopted as a secondary indirect measurement of the suction. Both total and matric suction were measured for three different mixtures of coarse soil (sand) and fine soil (industrial Bentonite/Montmorillonite) at two different saturation levels for each mixture. An extensive characterization has been conducted for the soil samples and, thereafter, samples were prepared at 95% of the maximum dry density (MDD) on wet and dry sides of optimum for suction measurements. The soil-water-characteristic/retention curve (SWCC/SWRC) was then completed for each sample using an estimation method reported in the literature. A new prediction model has been developed, in this study to determine a fitting parameter for estimating SWCC. Also, a review on the application of SWCC to design of shallow foundations has been presented in a simplified manner. Finally, recommendations for future work and conclusions were reported.
The paper presents a collaborative piece of research undertaken by seven research teams from different universities within the ‘Mechanics of Unsaturated Soils for Engineering' (MUSE) network. The objective is to benchmark different... more
The paper presents a collaborative piece of research undertaken by seven research teams from different universities within the ‘Mechanics of Unsaturated Soils for Engineering' (MUSE) network. The objective is to benchmark different approaches to constitutive modelling of mechanical and water retention behaviour of unsaturated soils by comparing simulations of suction-controlled and constant water content laboratory tests. A set of 13 triaxial and oedometer laboratory tests, covering the mechanical and water retention behaviour of an unsaturated compacted silty soil under a variety of stress paths, has been provided by one of the seven participating teams. This data set has been used by the other six teams for calibrating a constitutive model of their choice, which has been subsequently employed for predicting strains and degree of saturation in three of the 13 tests used for calibration, as well as in one ‘blind' test for which experimental results had not been previously di...
- by J. Vaunat and +3
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- Plasticity, Constitutive Modeling, Partially Saturated Soils
The paper presents a collaborative piece of research undertaken by seven research teams from different universities within the ‘Mechanics of Unsaturated Soils for Engineering' (MUSE) network. The objective is to benchmark different... more
The paper presents a collaborative piece of research undertaken by seven research teams from different universities within the ‘Mechanics of Unsaturated Soils for Engineering' (MUSE) network. The objective is to benchmark different approaches to constitutive modelling of mechanical and water retention behaviour of unsaturated soils by comparing simulations of suction-controlled and constant water content laboratory tests. A set of 13 triaxial and oedometer laboratory tests, covering the mechanical and water retention behaviour of an unsaturated compacted silty soil under a variety of stress paths, has been provided by one of the seven participating teams. This data set has been used by the other six teams for calibrating a constitutive model of their choice, which has been subsequently employed for predicting strains and degree of saturation in three of the 13 tests used for calibration, as well as in one ‘blind' test for which experimental results had not been previously di...