ISSN: 1945-7545
CODEN: GTJODJ
Published Online: 14 May 2003
Page Count: 9

Influence of Matric Suction on the Results of Plate Load Tests Performed on a Lateritic Soil Deposit

Costa, YD
Research engineer, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Carlos, SP

Cintra, JC
Professor, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Carlos, SP

Zornberg, JG
Assistant professor, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO

(Received 17 August 2001; accepted 13 June 2002)

Abstract

This paper evaluates the influence of soil matric suction on the results of plate load tests conducted in an unsaturated, lateritic soil deposit at a depth of 1.5 m. Soil suction was monitored during the tests with tensiometers installed at the bottom of the testing pit. Field test results show that small increases in matric suction lead to substantial increases in bearing capacity of the soil-plate system. In situ experimental loading-collapse (LC) and suction increase (SI) yield surfaces are proposed for the soil investigated. Changes in matric sucion were observed to significantly influence settlement response, particularly for high levels of surcharge load. The rate of settlement shows a non-linear decreasing trend with increasing soil matric suction.

Keywords:
matric suction, plate load test, settlement rate, bearing capacity, lateritic soils, unsaturated soils

Paper ID: GTJ11326J
DOI: 10.1520/GTJ11326J
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