ABSTRACT
The paper reports results of shear stiffness measurements performed with a resonant column-torsional shear device working in suction controlled conditions. Emphasis lays on the effects of compaction-induced fabric and suction on soil behaviour. Collected data indicate a significant variation of stiffness with moulding water content and show an S-shaped stiffness versus suction variations. This is explained with a progressive change of soil behaviour from a bulk- to a menisci-water regulated response. A model is proposed to account for the observed behaviour.
