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Most of the previous research has been focused on developing and validating constitutive models to predict response of unsaturated soils in low-medium suction range. However, there is a scarcity of efforts in developing soil models to simulate its mechanical response in high suction range, particularly above the residual suction. This article presents a new constitutive model introducing net stress and suction as two independent variables. Furthermore, non-associative flow rule incorporating modified stress-dilatancy relationship to take unsaturated state into account is introduced to improve the model results in low-medium to high suction range. The essential soil model parameters are calibrated using suction-controlled triaxial test results for predictions of compacted silty sand response at high values of total suction above residual suction. Preliminary simulations show that proposed model can reasonably simulate the post-peak strain softening response obtained from suction-controlled CTC tests above residual suction value with reasonable accuracy. Although, the proposed model captures initial compression followed by dilation volumetric response with reasonable accuracy, it needs some improvements to be able to capture volumetric response accurately over entire suction range.

As part of the rehabilitation work on the Gabonese railway line, the Trans-Gabon Railway, it was necessary to analyse the behaviour of the materials constituting the subgrade soil. These soils are pelitic soils whose behaviour under unsaturated conditions and cyclic loading has not been studied before and which present differential settlements and lack of bearing capacity. In this article, we focus on the characterization of the subgrade soil. The objective of this work is first to determine the in-situ characteristics of the pelitic soil and be able to link these characteristics with the behaviour studied in laboratory. For that purpose, we propose an in-situ investigation based on the use of light dynamic penetrometric tests in order to assess the variability of the subgrade layer and a drying-wetting test to assess the influence of hydric stress on the drainage path of the studied soil. We present the results of in-situ tests performed on a study area. We also present the results of the tests to determine the soil water characteristic curves (SWCC) and the curves describing the volumetric behaviour of this soil when exposed to drying.

This paper focuses on the volumetric behavior of residual tropical soils. Two residual tropical soils belonging to the same geological formation and located in the coastal sedimentary basin of Gabon are studied. These soils are known as pelitic soils. As the hydromechanical behavior of residual tropical soils is still relatively unknown, it is interesting to study the influence of suction on the volumetric behavior of these soils through shrinkage curves. The purpose of this study is twofold. First, to study the volume variations in the two studied residual tropical soils with suction changes. Secondly, to propose a modelling of soil-water retention curves (SWRCs) of these soils. For this purpose, shrinkage tests are carried out to study the volume variations of the studied soils. These tests are supported by determining a bilinear approximation model to enable the variation in suction during drying to be estimated. Tests to determine SWRCs at different initial dry densities are used to calibrate the bilinear approximation model between void ratio and suction. The modified Kovács model (MK model) has been adapted to model SWRCs of the studied soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of the pore fluid compressibility on liquefaction has been studied by various authors. But few papers have been published about the role of suction in cyclic behavior of unsaturated soils. Most of these works use Skempton coefficient B as a reference in terms of saturation degree to analyze their results. The use of B in experimental conditions is convenient, but is not accurate when studying liquefaction behavior, since effects of suction are neglected. In this paper, the influence of saturation degree on mechanical behavior of a soil under dynamic loads is studied. Cyclic undrained triaxial tests were performed on sand samples, under various levels of saturation. Soil-water characteristic curve was used, in order to study influence of suction. The first results confirm that when the degree of saturation decreases, the resistance increases. Initial positive suction tends to stiffen the soil. It also appears that the presence of air delays the occurrence of liquefaction, but doesn’t prevent it. Indeed, liquefaction is observed, whether the soil is saturated or not.

Nowadays, field experiments are mostly used to determine the resistance and settlements of a soil before building. The needed devices were heavy so they cannot be used in every situation. It is the reason why Gourves et al (1998) developed a light dynamic penetrometer called Panda. For this penetrometer, a standardized hammer has to be blown on the head of the piston. For each blow, it measures the driving energy as well as the driving depth of the cone into the soil. The obtained penetrogram gives us the cone resistance variation with depth. For homogeneous soils, three parameters can determined: the critical depth zc, the initial cone resistance qd0 and the cone resistance in depth qd1. In parallel to the improvement of this apparatus, some researches were lead to obtain a relationship between the dry density of soil and the cone resistance in depth qd1. Knowing dry density of soil can allow to evaluate compaction efficiency for example. To achieve this point, a database of soils was initiated. Each of these soils was tested and classified using laboratory tests, among others, grain size distribution, proctor results, Atterberg limits. Penetrometer tests were also performed for three to five densities and for three to five water contents. Using this database, Chaigneau managed to obtain a logarithmic relation linking qd1 and dry density. But this relation varies with the water content. This article presents our recent researches on a mean to obtain a unified relation using water content, saturation degree or suction. To achieve this point, at first we studied the CNR silt responses with saturation degree and water content. Its water retention curve was realised using filter paper method so we can obtain suction. Then we verified the conclusion of this study to seven soils of the database to validate our hypotheses.

Skempton coefficient B is commonly used to verify the saturation of a sample before triaxial testing. This coefficient is obtained during undrained isotropic consolidation and is defined as the ratio between the increment of pore pressure u measured and the imposed increment of isotropic stress. This coefficient varies between 0 for dry soils and 1 for saturated soils. Many studies on liquefaction of unsaturated soils were published using Skempton coefficient B to represent saturation degree Sr of soil. On the first hand, this variation of B coefficient with saturation degree is mostly due to the compressibility of air in the pores. On the second hand, we also know that the presence of air as a fluid phase gives birth to suction after equilibrium is reached inside the sample. The higher the suction, the stiffer the soil skeleton. These two phenomena are opposite. Their effects in laboratory testing depend on the experimental apparatus. For example, if we consider an unsaturated triaxial device, we will have to take suction into account. On the contrary if we plan to break the menisci just before measuring B, suction equilibration will not occur. Experimental tests were performed to show the difference between these two cases and to study the equilibrium phase. Based on these observations, this article presents new relationships that permit to calculate saturation degree with a given Skempton coefficient with different hypotheses and with different experimental devices. These results are confronted to the commonly used relation given by Lade and the difference between all these calculations is studied.

According to regulations and standards, risks of liquefaction are considered only if a soil is fully saturated. However, some authors have demonstrated that a soil can liquefy even with an initial degree of saturation under 100%. However, those studies remain descriptive and do not provide specific frameworks for evaluating the risk of liquefaction, taking the degree of saturation into account. This article presents an experimental study on the unstable behavior of sand as a function of its initial degree of saturation. Saturation states are defined and three saturation zones are investigated as a function of their pore fluid distribution patterns. Cyclic triaxial tests are performed on Fontainebleau sand to study the unstable behavior of each saturation zone. The results show that a soil can liquefy even if it is not initially fully saturated. They also provide new data on the role of suction and pore fluid compressibility in the unstable behavior of granular materials. The final aim of this article is to study the general unstable behavior of Fontainebleau sand under cyclic loading, and more specifically the influence of the degree of saturation on the triggering of these instabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skempton coefficient B is commonly used to evaluate the saturation of a sample before the shearing stage in a triaxial test. For unsaturated soils, measuring the degree of saturation Sr at the end of the consolidation stage is very difficult whereas measuring Skempton coefficient B is very simple. Using this coefficient to obtain Sr of a sample in a triaxial apparatus without complex procedures might be an improvement, especially as regards testing procedures for unsaturated soils. Different authors have proposed a relationship between these two parameters based on the hypothesis that a variation of B coefficient with Sr is mostly due to the compressibility of air in the pores. However, the presence of air as a fluid phase gives rise to suction after the equilibrium is reached inside the sample leading to an increase in stiffness. Based on this observation, this article presents a new relationship that enables Sr to be evaluated with a given Skempton coefficient taking into account not only the initial void ratio and the isotropic elastic modulus but also the suction and the elastoplastic behaviour of the soil. The results of the proposed approach are then confronted with the original relationship and compared to experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]