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Slow Tests Under Soil Moisture Suction¹

ABSTRACT

Standard Slow Tests using triaxial compression equipment were performed on three materials—a Yolo loam, a Hanford loamy sand, and two sizes of glass beads. The results were compared with Slow Tests in which part of the stresses were applied to the sample in the form of controlled soil moisture suction. The results were summarized in the form of Mohr diagrams plotted with respect to effective stresses calculated from the equation ' = – _w, where ', and _w are effective, mechanical (total), and soil water stresses, respectively.

Differences occurred not only in the case where the suction induced unsaturation (Hanford and glass beads) but also in the saturated range (Yolo). It was concluded that soil moisture suction was not in general equivalent to stresses applied mechanically to the external boundaries of the sample, as regards the strength property. Where the material remained saturated (Yolo) the departures increased with decreasing bulk specific volume. Where unsaturation occurred (Hanford, glass beads), the departures increased with decreasing degrees of saturation.

¹ Contribution University of California, Department of Soils and Plant Nutrition, Davis and Berkeley.

² Instructor in Soil Physics, Davis, and Professor of Soil Physics, Berkeley, respectively.

Received for publication March 16, 1960. Accepted for publication June 28, 1960.