Effect of pore-size distribution on unsaturated shear strength of residual soil from sedimentary Jurong formation

• Main Author: Ong, Weilin.
• Other Authors: Harianto Rahardjo
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Civil engineering::Geotechnical
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/16055
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The residual soil from Sedimentary Jurong Formation is a weathering product of sedimentary rocks. Residual soils are often found in an unsaturated condition. The soil-water characteristic curve of the soil indicates how the mineral composition and weathering grade affect the pore-size distribution of the residual soil. A change in the matric suction in the soil causes a change in water volume in an unsaturated soil, which in turn affects the unsaturated shear strength of the soil. The aim of the project is to investigate the effect of pore-size distribution on unsaturated shear strength of residual soil from Jurong Formation. The scope of the project involves laboratory measurements of pore-size distribution and unsaturated shear strength parameters using triaxial apparatus. There is a need to understand the engineering properties and characteristics of residual soils in Singapore for the construction of tunnels and for slope stability analysis. Thus the results have a direct application on stability of unsaturated residual soil slopes.