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The work presented focuses on modifying a hydraulic oedometer (Rowe cell) to facilitate monitoring of the electrical conductivity of soil, in conjunction with load–deformation characteristics. Technical issues are addressed and data presented to show the change in the electrical properties of saturated clay, both parallel and normal to the direction of loading, taken through a loading–unloading–reloading cycle. The electrical response can be interpreted in terms of bulk changes in porosity – void ratio and fabric features such as pore tortuosity and particle alignment. The modified cell and testing methodology offer scope for development as a noninvasive, real time monitoring technique to study fabric changes in soil.Key words: clay, electrical conductivity, consolidation, porosity, fabric, anisotropy.

A novel hydraulic consolidation cell has been developed. The cell is designed to simplify sample preparation and test assembly procedures thus minimizing fabric disturbance. A fully automated control and acquisition system has also been developed to work in association with the cell.Key words: consolidation, hydraulic loading, data acquisition and control.