Experimental unsaturated soil mechanics

TL;DR

This paper reviews experimental methods and findings related to the hydro-mechanical behavior of unsaturated soils, emphasizing water retention, suction control techniques, and elasto-plastic modeling.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of experimental systems, procedures, and recent advances in understanding unsaturated soil behavior, linking physical properties to mechanical responses.

Findings

Water retention properties linked to soil parameters

Techniques for controlling suction in laboratory tests

Features of unsaturated soil mechanical behavior within an elasto-plastic framework

Abstract

In this general report, experimental systems and procedures of investigating the hydro-mechanical behaviour of unsaturated soils are presented. The water retention properties of unsaturated soils are commented and linked to various physical parameters and properties of the soils. Techniques of controlling suction are described together with their adaptation in various laboratory testing devices. Some typical features of the mechanical behaviour of unsaturated soils are presented within an elasto-plastic framework. An attempt to describe the numerous and significant recent advances in the investigation of the behaviour of unsaturated soils, including the contributions to this Conference, is proposed.