ISSN: 0149-6115
Published Online: 16 June 2004
Page Count: 6

A Direct Tensile Strength Testing Method for Unsaturated Geomaterials

Nahlawi, H
Masters Student,Monash University,

Chakrabarti, S
Doctoral Student,Monash University,

Kodikara, J
Senior Lecturer,Monash University,

(Received 15 October 2002; accepted 12 January 2004)

Abstract

The current paper presents a new method for testing direct tensile strength of unsaturated geomaterials, guided by a method developed for concrete testing (Hannant et al. 1999). The developed equipment is used for measurement of direct tensile strength of unsaturated reactive basaltic clay soils and crushed rocks stabilized with cementitious additives. The tensile characteristics of soils were tested at water contents in excess of liquid limit and those close to optimum water content. Stabilized crushed rocks were tested at early and cured states after mixing. Full stress-strain characteristics were measured with the aid of precision transducers and electronic data acquisition. The equipment is capable of measuring tensile strengths of soil slurries (about 1 kPa), as well as cement stabilized crushed rocks (up to about 1 MPa).

Keywords:
tensile strength, geomaterials, clay, stabilized crushed rock, cracking

Paper ID: GTJ11767
DOI: 10.1520/GTJ11767
ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.