Effect of stress history on the volume change behavior of unsaturated residual soil

• Main Authors: Huat, Bujang B.K., Ali, Faisal, Choong, F.H.
• Format: Article
• Published: Mete Oner 2007
• Subjects: TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/25461/; http://www.ejge.com/2007/Ppr0706/Abs0706.htm
• Institution: Universiti Malaya

Residual soils occur in most countries of the world but those that occur in greater area and depth are usually found in the tropical humid areas. In these places, the soil forming processes are still very active and the weathering development is much faster than the erosive factor. Most residual exhibit high soil suctions for most of the year. This paper examines the effects of stress history on the volume change behavior of an unsaturated granitic residual soil. It has been accepted that the stress history of the soil with regard to the net mean stress generally has a significant effect of the volume change of the soil. In this paper focus is given to study the effect of stress history with regard to the matric suction (U"a - U"w). It was found that the void ratio of the soil could either increase (swell) or decrease (collapse), depending on the stress history of the soil.