ABSTRACT
The effect of capillary water on the behavior of partially saturated soil is simulated through numerical calculation. In the calculation, soil particles are replaced by uniform spheres and water is supposed to be distributed around the surface of particles as adsorbed water and at the contact points between spheres as capillary water. The inter-particle force induced by the surface tension of the capillary water is calculated to discuss the relation of the physical properties of partially saturated soil such as particle size, water content and void ratio to the mechanical properties of suction and strength. The experiments are carried out to study the results of the calculation. In the experiments, the suction and strength are measured for the partially saturated sample of glass beads and their results are compared with the results of the calculation. We try to understand the mechanical properties characteristic of the partially saturated soil through the discussion.
