SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1988
STP29096S

Interpretation of Triaxial Compression Test Results on Partially Saturated Soils

Source

A laboratory investigation was conducted to assess the influence of density on the shear strength of unsaturated soil. To vary density, compacted specimens of an expansive clay soil were subjected to different stress histories prior to shear. Tests were performed at a constant water content. The Hvorslev “true friction-true cohesion” concept was used to normalize the effects of density differences on the shear strengths of both saturated and unsaturated specimens. It was determined that shear strengths of unsaturated soils were dependent on the stress state, density, and water content of specimens at failure. A modified Mohr-Coulomb failure model to predict the shear strength of unsaturated soils is proposed. The effect of suction is to increase the value of the cohesion intercept in this model. The actual measurement of soil suction is not required to apply the model.

Author Information

Peterson, RW
U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS
Price: $25.00
Contact Sales
Related
Reprints and Permissions
Reprints and copyright permissions can be requested through the
Copyright Clearance Center
Details
Developed by Committee: D18
Pages: 512–538
DOI: 10.1520/STP29096S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-5048-5
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-0983-4