Capillary Tube Model for Internal Stability of Cohesionless Soil
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 139, Issue 5
Abstract
Kovacs’ criterion to assess the potential for internal instability of cohesionless soils that was proposed, but never tested experimentally, is verified with reference to a database of laboratory test results. The inherent margin of safety is described, and a threshold boundary between stable and potentially unstable gradations is established. A variation on the method is then presented, termed the simplified-Kovacs criterion.
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Acknowledgments
Funding for research on internal stability of soils at the University of British Columbia is provided by the NSERC and the British Columbia Hydroelectric Power Authority.
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© 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Oct 7, 2011
Accepted: Jun 14, 2012
Published online: Apr 15, 2013
Published in print: May 1, 2013
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