Modulus-Suction-Moisture Relationship for Compacted Soils in Postcompaction State
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 135, Issue 10
Abstract
Despite clear evidence, changes in mechanical properties (i.e., stiffness or modulus) of compacted subgrades in response to subgrade moisture regime changes after construction have rarely been investigated in the geotechnical profession. In particular, when in-service assessment of pavement subgrade is made, the modulus-moisture variation should be addressed on the basis of unsaturated soil mechanics. This study presents the unsaturated small-strain modulus behavior of five predominately fine-grained compacted subgrade soils. The small-strain shear modulus of saturated compacted specimens subjected to a desorption soil-water characteristic curve (SWCC) was evaluated using bender elements. A test apparatus was designed to apply two stress state variables, the net confining pressure and matric suction, during the measurements. The relationship between and the SWCC under a constant mean net stress was developed. Additionally, the effect of compaction moisture content, compaction energy, and soil type on the -SWCC relationship was investigated. Finally, a relationship describing the small-strain modulus behavior of unsaturated compacted soils is proposed.
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Acknowledgments
This paper is dedicated to the memory of our coauthor Professor Peter J. Bosscher.
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Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 135 • Issue 10 • October 2009
Pages: 1390 - 1403
Copyright
© 2009 ASCE.
History
Received: May 13, 2007
Accepted: May 6, 2008
Published online: Feb 21, 2009
Published in print: Oct 2009
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