Compression Response of Sedimented Unsaturated Soils
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 148, Issue 12
Abstract
This paper presents an experimental study on the hydromechanical behavior of unsaturated sedimented soil to understand the impacts of suction on the apparent yield stress and gain insight into the differences in behavior from compacted soils. A large-strain oedometer was developed for use in a triaxial cell that permits initial sedimentation of soils from a slurry under backpressure, suction control using the axis translation technique, and mechanical loading to characterize the compression curve. A flow pump was used to control the pore water pressure at the base of the soil specimen and to track water flow during suction application and mechanical loading. After initial consolidation of saturated soil specimens from a slurry, the specimens were unloaded, different suction values were applied, and then the axial stress was increased to 11 MPa at a constant strain rate. An increase in apparent yield stress with suction was observed, and the compression curves for higher suctions diverged without reaching pressurized saturation in the applied stress range. When compared with compression curves for the same soil compacted dry of optimum presented in previous studies, the sedimented soil had a greater yield stress at saturated conditions but a similar increase in yield stress with suction. Sedimented soils also experienced smaller changes in void ratio with applied net stress and a higher air entry suction value compared to compacted soils, reflecting a more compact soil structure. Suction was found to have a greater impact on yield stress than suction stress for both sedimented and compacted soils.
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Data Availability Statement
All data, models, and code generated or used during the study appear in the published article.
Acknowledgments
The first author would like to acknowledge the doctoral scholarship and support provided by Kuwait University.
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Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 148 • Issue 12 • December 2022
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© 2022 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Feb 25, 2022
Accepted: Aug 15, 2022
Published online: Oct 8, 2022
Published in print: Dec 1, 2022
Discussion open until: Mar 8, 2023
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