scholarly journals Influence of Matric Suction on the Shear Strength Behaviour of Unsaturated Sand

10.14311/590 ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Farouk ◽  
L. Lamboj ◽  
J. Kos
Keyword(s):  
Shear Strength ◽  
Stress State ◽  
Unsaturated Soils ◽  
Pore Water Pressure ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Matric Suction ◽  
Test Method ◽  
State Variables ◽  
Unsaturated Sand

As a part of the effort made to understand the behaviour of unsaturated soils, this work studies the shear strength characteristics of a cohesionless unsaturated soil. Generally, the determination of the shear strength of unsaturated soils is a great challenge to geotechnical engineers, both in terms of understanding it and the effort necessary to determine it. Matric suction is one of the stress state variables that control the shear strength of unsaturated soils. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to investigate the effect of matric suction on the shear strength characteristic of sand known commercially as Sand PR33. The shear strength behaviour of unsaturated sand is studied in this work using the constant water content triaxial test method with measurements of matric suction during the shearing stage. The tests were performed using the axis translation technique in such a way that the pore-air pressure was controlled while the pore-water pressure was measured during all tests.

The shear strength of unsaturated soils

1978 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 313-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. G. Fredlund ◽  
N. R. Morgenstern ◽  
R. A. Widger
Keyword(s):  
Shear Strength ◽  
Unsaturated Soil ◽  
Unsaturated Soils ◽  
Pore Water Pressure ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Test Results ◽  
State Variables ◽  
Limited Data ◽  
Laboratory Test Results

The shear strength of an unsaturated soil is written in terms of two independent stress state variables. One form of the shear strength equation is[Formula: see text]The transition from a saturated soil to an unsaturated soil is readily visible. A second form of the shear strength equation is[Formula: see text]Here the independent roles of changes in total stress σ and changes in pore-water pressure uw are easily visualized.Published research literature provides limited data. However, the data substantiate that the shear strength can be described by a planar surface of the forms proposed. A procedure is also outlined to evaluate the pertinent shear strength parameters from laboratory test results.

Mini suction probe for matric suction measurements

2002 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 1427-1432 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inge Meilani ◽  
Harianto Rahardjo ◽  
Eng-Choon Leong ◽  
Delwyn G Fredlund
Keyword(s):  
Pore Water ◽  
Unsaturated Soils ◽  
Pore Water Pressure ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Matric Suction ◽  
Lateral Direction ◽  
Triaxial Apparatus ◽  
Specimen Height ◽  
Pressure Changes ◽  
Accurate Reading

A modified triaxial apparatus with mini suction probes was fabricated to study the matric suction along the specimen height during unsaturated triaxial testing. Three mini suction probes were placed at 3/4, 1/2, and 1/4 height of the specimen, each at 120° apart in the lateral direction. This paper presents the development of the mini probe for matric suction measurements. Evaluation of the performance shows that the fabricated mini probe provides a rapid response and accurate reading under negative and positive pore-water pressure changes. Matric suctions as high as 400 kPa were successfully measured on soil specimens over a time span of 15 h. On the other hand, the mini suction probes were also found to be able to measure a matric suction of 200 kPa for a longer period of 155 h.Key words: matric suction, mini suction probe, triaxial, unsaturated soils, mid-height pore-water pressure measurement.

Experimental verification of the theory of consolidation for unsaturated soils

1995 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 749-766 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harianto Rahardjo ◽  
Delwyn G. Fredlund
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Pore Pressure ◽  
Pore Water ◽  
Unsaturated Soils ◽  
Pore Water Pressure ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Matric Suction ◽  
Water Volume ◽  
Loading Tests ◽  
Undrained Loading

An experimental program was designed to study the behavior of unsaturated soils during undrained loading and consolidation. A Ko cylinder was designed and built for the testing program. Simultaneous measurements of pore-air and pore-water pressures could be made throughout a soil specimen using this Ko cylinder. Four types of tests were performed on a silty sand. These are (1) undrained loading tests where both the air and water are not allowed to drain, (2) constant water content tests where only the water phase is not allowed to drain, (3) consolidation tests where both the air and water phases are allowed to drain, and (4) increasing matric suction tests. Undrained loading tests or constant water content loading tests were conducted for measuring the pore pressure parameters for the unsaturated soil. Drained tests consisting of either consolidation tests or increasing matric suction tests were conducted to study the pore pressure distribution and volume change behavior throughout an unsaturated soil during a transient process. The experimental pore pressure parameters obtained from the undrained loadings and constant water content leadings agreed reasonably well with theory. The pore-air pressure was found to dissipate instantaneously when the air phase is continuous. The pore-water pressure dissipation during the consolidation test was found to be faster than the pore-water pressure decrease during the increasing matric suction test. The differing rates of dissipation were attributed to the different coefficients of water volume change for each of the tests. The water volume changes during the consolidation test were considerably smaller than the water volume changes during the increasing matric suction tests for the same increment of pressure change. Key words : consolidation, Ko loading, matric suction, pore-air pressures, pore-water pressures, unsaturated soils

Use of thermal conductivity sensors to measure matric suction in the laboratory

1989 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 491-498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pamela Sattler ◽  
D. G. Fredlund
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Conductivity ◽  
Unsaturated Soils ◽  
Pore Water Pressure ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Test Procedure ◽  
Matric Suction ◽  
Engineering Practice ◽  
Equilibration Time ◽  
Overburden Pressure ◽  
Conductivity Sensor

The measurement of soil suction is pivotal to the application of soil mechanics principles in geotechnical engineering practice related to unsaturated soils. Volume change, shear strength, and seepage analyses all require an understanding of the matric suction in the soil. This note summarizes the use of thermal conductivity sensors to measure matric suction in the laboratory. The thermal conductivity sensor is described along with its mode of operation. A brief description is given of the procedure for calibrating thermal conductivity sensors using a pressure plate apparatus. The measurement of matric suction can be performed in the laboratory on Shelby tube samples. The laboratory measurements of matric suction can be adjusted for the effect of overburden pressure in the field. The required equilibration time for suction measurements is discussed along with details of the test procedure. The applications of the measured suction values to design are briefly discussed.Key words: matric suction, negative pore-water pressure, thermal conductivity sensor, laboratory, undisturbed samples.

Effectiveness of Capillary Barrier and Vegetative Slope Covers in Maintaining Soil Suction

2016 ◽  
pp. 51-69
Author(s):  
Harianto Rahardjo ◽  
S. Krisnanto ◽  
E.C. Leong
Keyword(s):  
Shear Strength ◽  
Pore Water ◽  
Pore Water Pressure ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Matric Suction ◽  
Numerical Analyses ◽  
Soil Suction ◽  
Vetiver Grass ◽  
Capillary Barrier ◽  
Maximum Rainfall

Capillary barrier and vegetative slope covers can be used to improve slope stability during rainfall by maintaining matric suction in the slope. A study was performed to investigate the effectiveness of capillary barrier system (CBS) and vegetative slope covers (Orange Jasmine and Vetiver grass) in maintaining soil suction. Performance of slopes with and without slope covers was investigated using field instrumentations and numerical analyses. Laboratory tests were performed to measure hydraulic and shear strength properties of the soil, the soils with Orange Jasmine and Vetiver grass root, and CBS materials. Numerical analyses were performed to investigate the variation of pore-water pressure profiles at a selected location and factor of safety during low, high, and maximum rainfall intensities. Pore-water pressures measured in the field were used to calibrate the numerical models. Laboratory test results showed that the presence of root increased the shear strength of soil. Numerical analyses and field monitoring results showed that the slope with covers can maintain negative pore-water pressure better than the original slope. Performance of Orange Jasmine, Vetiver grass, and CBS in maintaining matric suction in the slope is essentially similar during low, high, and maximum rainfall intensities.

Shear-strength characteristics of a residual soil

1995 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Rahardjo ◽  
T.T. Lim ◽  
M.F. Chang ◽  
D.G. Fredlund
Keyword(s):  
Shear Strength ◽  
Internal Friction ◽  
Pore Water ◽  
Pore Water Pressure ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Matric Suction ◽  
Residual Soil ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Angle Of Internal Friction ◽  
Slip Surfaces

Shallow landslides in natural residual soils slopes are common all over the world. The slip surfaces associated with these landslides are often situated above the groundwater table. Therefore, it is important to quantify the contribution of negative pore-water pressure to the shear strength of soil. The shear-strength characteristics of residual soil from the Jurong Formation in Singapore were assessed using multistage, consolidated drained triaxial tests. These tests involved shearing under either a constant net confining pressure and varying matric suctions or under a constant matric suction and varying net confining pressures. An extended form of the Mohr–Coulomb equation was used to interpret the test results. The test results show that for matric suctions up to 400 kPa, the angle of internal friction associated with the matric suction, [Formula: see text], is similar to the effective angle of internal friction, [Formula: see text], which averages 26° for the residual soil of the Jurong Formation. The residual soil can maintain a high degree of saturation for matric suctions as high as 400 kPa. Examples involving stability analyses of a residual soil slope with varying pore-water pressure profiles indicate that soil suction contributes significantly to the factor of safety, particularly for shallow slip surfaces. Key words : residual soil, unsaturated soil, matric suction, shear strength, multistage triaxial test, slope stability.

scholarly journals Evaluation on slope stability of unsaturated soils

2000 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. J. Wang ◽  
M. Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Unsaturated Soil ◽  
Unsaturated Soils ◽  
Pore Water Pressure ◽  
Limit Equilibrium ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Matric Suction ◽  
Groundwater Table ◽  
Degree Of Saturation ◽  
Engineering Properties ◽  
Soil Slopes

In drought-prone and semiarid areas, the groundwater table is deep and the soils are at an unsaturated state because of evaporation or transpiration. The negative pore water pressure or matric suction (ua-uw) is an important property of unsaturated soils that are situated above the groundwater table. In the conditions of rainfall, ground seepage, or drainpipe leakage, the matric suction will decrease with the increase of the degree of saturation, and the soils will lose their part of shear strength, which is the main reason why many unsaturated soil slopes become unstable. This paper discusses the engineering properties of unsaturated soils. Following the limit equilibrium principle, the unsaturated soil slopes are evaluated by applying the slice method.

Pore-water pressure and water volume change of an unsaturated soil under infiltration conditions

2005 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 1509-1531 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inge Meilani ◽  
Harianto Rahardjo ◽  
Eng-Choon Leong
Keyword(s):  
Pore Water ◽  
Volume Change ◽  
Unsaturated Soils ◽  
Pore Water Pressure ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Volumetric Strain ◽  
Confining Pressure ◽  
Matric Suction ◽  
Water Volume ◽  
Infiltration Tests

Triaxial shearing–infiltration tests were conducted to study the pore-water pressure and volume change of unsaturated soils subjected to infiltration conditions. A modified triaxial apparatus with three Nanyang Technological University (NTU) mini suction probes along the specimen height was used for the experimental program. Elastic moduli were obtained for the soil structure with respect to changes in net confining pressure (E) and matric suction (H). Water volumetric moduli associated with changes in net confining pressure (Ew) and matric suction (Hw) were also obtained from the shearing–infiltration tests. Water volumetric strain and pore-water pressure during the shearing–infiltration tests were computed based on volume change theory. This paper presents the significance of obtaining the parameter Hw from an appropriate scanning curve of a soil-water characteristic curve (SWCC) for the computation of water volumetric strain and pore-water pressure changes during a shearing–infiltration test. The appropriate scanning curve should be obtained from the wetting curve of the SWCC at the matric suction where the infiltration test commences.Key words: infiltration, matric suction, triaxial, unsaturated soils, pore-water pressure, water volume change.

Use of instantaneous profile and statistical methods to determine permeability functions of unsaturated soils

2009 ◽  
Vol 46 (7) ◽  
pp. 869-874 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry Krisdani ◽  
Harianto Rahardjo ◽  
Eng-Choon Leong
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Method ◽  
Unsaturated Soils ◽  
Pore Water Pressure ◽  
Direct Method ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Residual Soils ◽  
Profile Method ◽  
Permeability Function ◽  
Direct And Indirect Methods

This paper presents the determination of permeability functions by direct and indirect methods. The direct method used in this study was the instantaneous profile method, while the indirect method used was the statistical method. The instantaneous profile method was adopted to calculate permeability functions of residual soils used in laboratory slope models. Pore-water pressure measured using tensiometers along the slope models and independently measured soil-water characteristic curves (SWCCs) were used for the instantaneous profile calculation. To obtain a continuous permeability function, the instantaneous profile results were then fitted using the statistical method.

Conjectures, Hypotheses, and Theories of Drumlin Formation (In memory of Stanislaw Baranowski)

1981 ◽  
Vol 27 (97) ◽  
pp. 503-505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian J. Smalley
Keyword(s):  
Shear Strength ◽  
Pore Water ◽  
Stress Level ◽  
Critical Stress ◽  
Pore Water Pressure ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Glacial Till ◽  
Forming Process ◽  
Stress Levels

AbstractRecent investigations have shown that various factors may affect the shear strength of glacial till and that these factors may be involved in the drumlin-forming process. The presence of frozen till in the deforming zone, variation in pore-water pressure in the till, and the occurrence of random patches of dense stony-till texture have been considered. The occurrence of dense stony till may relate to the dilatancy hypothesis and can be considered a likely drumlin-forming factor within the region of critical stress levels. The up-glacier stress level now appears to be the more important, and to provide a sharper division between drumlin-forming and non-drumlin-forming conditions.

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