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Hysteretic soil water characteristics and cyclic swell–shrink paths of compacted expansive soils

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Abstract

The investigation of the hydromechanical behavior of unsaturated expansive soil depends on the determination of hysteretic soil water characteristic curves (HSWCCs). This research investigates the HSWCCs of two natural expansive soils initially compacted at optimum moisture content (OMC) and maximum dry density (MDD) and then saturated to their maximum expansion state to ensure identical capillary history. Filter paper, pressure plate and chilled mirror hygrometer suction measurement techniques were utilized, and corresponding measurements of three-dimensional volume change made. The cyclic swell–shrink paths were deduced in terms of volumetric strain versus either water content or suction. The cyclic three-dimensional volumetric measurements showed a much higher amount of swelling and shrinkage than those determined from one-dimensional measurements. Hydraulic hysteresis rapidly decreased with the swell–shrink cycles as a result of macro-structural stabilization. Under the no/low confining conditions, the swell–shrink cycles generally caused a decrease of global expansion and an increase of global shrinkage. Moreover, a special phenomenon showing a reduction of global shrinkage on significant drying was discovered in the less plastic soil sample.

Résumé

L’analyse du comportement hydromécanique des sols gonflants non saturés nécessite la détermination des courbes caractéristiques du comportement hydrique de ces sols. Cette étude examine ces courbes caractéristiques pour deux sols gonflants naturels, d’abord compactés à la teneur en eau optimale, avec une densité sèche maximale, ensuite saturés jusqu’à leur état de gonflement maximum afin d’obtenir un historique contrôlé de leur humidification. Les techniques du papier filtre, de la mise sous contrainte et des mesures de succion par hygromètre ont été utilisées et les mesures correspondantes des changements de volume réalisées. Les mesures cycliques tridimensionnelles de volume ont montré des amplitudes beaucoup plus grandes de gonflement et de retrait que celles déterminées à partir de mesures unidimensionnelles. L’hystérésis hydrique a diminué rapidement avec les cycles de gonflement-retrait en raison d’une stabilisation macrostructurale. Dans des conditions de confinement nul ou faible, les cycles de gonflement-retrait ont généralement entraîné une diminution du gonflement global et une augmentation du retrait global. Par ailleurs, un phénomène spécial montrant une réduction du retrait global pour des séchages importants a été découvert pour les échantillons de sols les moins plastiques.

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Acknowledgments

The financial support from NSF (National Science Foundation) through research Grant No. 0746980 is gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA

    Botao Lin & Amy B. Cerato

  2. Rapp Foundation, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma, USA

    Amy B. Cerato

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  1. Botao Lin
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  2. Amy B. Cerato
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Correspondence to Amy B. Cerato.

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Lin, B., Cerato, A.B. Hysteretic soil water characteristics and cyclic swell–shrink paths of compacted expansive soils. Bull Eng Geol Environ 72, 61–70 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-012-0450-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-012-0450-7

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