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<p>In this work, a series of unconfined compression tests at different water contents were performed to investigate the mechanical behaviour of clay–sand mixtures compacted in standard Proctor conditions. For studying the effect of water content and suction on unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and on strain secant modulus (<italic>E</italic>50 modulus) of these mixtures, drying–wetting paths were defined by measuring the soil–water characteristic curves (SWCCs) using osmotic and salt solution techniques and filter paper method. The results highlighted that an increase in sand content of the mixture leads to an increase in the maximum dry densities and a decrease in the optimum water content of the materials. However, at the given state, when clay is mixed with 25% of sand, the UCS and <italic>E</italic>50 modulus increase to 37% and 70%, respectively, compared to those of clayey samples. But when clay is mixed with 50% of sand, the UCS and <italic>E</italic>50 modulus decrease to 38% and 46%, respectively, compared to those of clayey samples. The results also indicate that the UCS and <italic>E</italic>50 increase with a decrease in the water content and an increase in suction, irrespective of the sand content.</p>
</abstract>

In this work, a series of unconfined compression tests at different water contents were performed to investigate the mechanical behaviour of clay–sand mixtures compacted in standard Proctor conditions. For studying the effect of water content and suction on unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and on strain secant modulus (E50 modulus) of these mixtures, drying–wetting paths were defined by measuring the soil–water characteristic curves (SWCCs) using osmotic and salt solution techniques and filter paper method. The results highlighted that an increase in sand content of the mixture leads to an increase in the maximum dry densities and a decrease in the optimum water content of the materials. However, at the given state, when clay is mixed with 25% of sand, the UCS and E50 modulus increase to 37% and 70%, respectively, compared to those of clayey samples. But when clay is mixed with 50% of sand, the UCS and E50 modulus decrease to 38% and 46%, respectively, compared to those of clayey samples. The results also indicate that the UCS and E50 increase with a decrease in the water content and an increase in suction, irrespective of the sand content.

Effect of suction on the mechanical behaviour of unsaturated compacted clay–sand mixtures

Studia Geotechnica et Mechanica

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

In this work, a series of unconfined compression tests at different water contents were performed to investigate the mechanical behaviour of clay–sand mixtures...

Effect of suction on the mechanical behaviour of unsaturated compacted clay–sand mixtures

Article Category: Original Study

Published Online: Sep 09, 2022

Page range: 175 - 189

Received: Oct 27, 2021

Accepted: Mar 21, 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/sgem-2022-0016

Keywords
Suction, Unsaturated soil, Clay–sand mixture, Unconfined compression strength, Strain secant modulus, Wetting–drying path

© 2022 Salima Bouchemella et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Effect of suction on the mechanical behaviour of unsaturated compacted clay–sand mixtures

Article Category: Original Study

Published Online: Sep 09, 2022

Page range: 175 - 189

Received: Oct 27, 2021

Accepted: Mar 21, 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/sgem-2022-0016

KeywordsSuction, Unsaturated soil, Clay–sand mixture, Unconfined compression strength, Strain secant modulus, Wetting–drying path

© 2022 Salima Bouchemella et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Keywords
Suction, Unsaturated soil, Clay–sand mixture, Unconfined compression strength, Strain secant modulus, Wetting–drying path