ABSTRACT
The behavior of partially saturated soils is determined by the characteristics of their macro porous structure. The matrix suction is an additional fundamental variable in its response to deformation under variable moisture conditions. In the northwest of Argentina, there are deposits of loess of predominantly Aeolian origin and some of them have collapsible characteristics. The aim of the study is propose solutions to the geotechnical problems that affect these types of soils. This work shows the numerical implementation of a flow-mechanical coupled model. The extended MRS-Lade elastoplastic constitutive model was applied. Finally, numerical simulations were performed to reproduce the behavior of this unsaturated loess under conditions of infiltration and variable levels of load, after the calibration of the parameters of the model through experimental tests.
