Model predictions of hydro-mechanical coupling in unsaturated crushable soils

Y. D. Zhang, Giuseppe Buscarnera

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

The paper investigates some signatures of hydro-mechanical coupling in unsaturated crushable soils. We use the framework of unsaturated breakage mechanics (Buscarnera & Einav 2012) focusing on the role of suction on the yielding threshold, as well as on the evolution of the water retention properties during crushing. The influence of the free energy potential on the predicted couplings is studied and the properties of the constants that control the expansion of the elastic domain are discussed. The model is finally used to simulate a series of suction-controlled one-dimensional compression tests on sand. The simulations confirm that, while suction effects causes a shift of the yielding threshold, the evolving particle grading introduces simultaneous changes in the retention curve and, hence, in the degree of saturation. As a result, it is suggested that the high-pressure compaction of unsaturated granular compounds is likely to be affected by such coupling effects and requires to take into account the co-evolution of compressibility and retention properties.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationUnsaturated Soils
Subtitle of host publicationResearch and Applications - Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Unsaturated Soils, UNSAT 2014
PublisherTaylor and Francis - Balkema
Pages471-477
Number of pages7
ISBN (Print)9781138026896
StatePublished - Jan 1 2014
Event6th International Conference on Unsaturated Soils, UNSAT 2014 - Sydney, NSW, Australia
Duration: Jul 2 2014Jul 4 2014

Publication series

NameUnsaturated Soils: Research and Applications - Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Unsaturated Soils, UNSAT 2014
Volume1

Other

Other6th International Conference on Unsaturated Soils, UNSAT 2014
Country/TerritoryAustralia
CitySydney, NSW
Period7/2/147/4/14

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Soil Science

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