Journal Published Online: 03 July 2019
Volume 43, Issue 3

Resilient Modulus of Expansive Soils at High Suction Using Vapor Pressure Control

CODEN: GTJODJ

Abstract

Robust design of pavement sections underlain by high-plasticity subgrade soils requires determination of subgrade resilient modulus over a wide range of suction to account for seasonal and diurnal variation of moisture. A laboratory experimental apparatus capable of performing suction-controlled repeated load triaxial tests at high suction (5 to 600 MPa) has been developed by integrating automated vapor pressure control to the specimen gas phase within a cyclic triaxial setup. The system eliminates limitations on applicable upper-bound suction that exist in more commonly adopted axis-translation approaches. This article describes the experimental setup, its working principle, and test procedures. Results are presented for a high-plasticity clayey soil to demonstrate testing capability for suction ranging from 5 to 100 MPa. Results show repeatability having an average coefficient of variation of less than 6 % for all loading sequences.

Author Information

Banerjee, Aritra
University of Texas at Arlington Research Institute, Fort Worth, TX, USA
Puppala, Anand J.
Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA
Hoyos, Laureano R.
Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA
Likos, William J.
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
Patil, Ujwalkumar D.
School of Engineering, University of Guam, Mangilao, Guam
Pages: 17
Price: $25.00
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Details
Stock #: GTJ20180255
ISSN: 0149-6115
DOI: 10.1520/GTJ20180255