ABSTRACT
Engineering problems associated with unsaturated soils, whether they are due to compaction or to natural drying, are complex and wide ranging. Typical problems include excessive settlement (or heave) and loss of shear strength following wetting. This paper examines the characteristics of a clay compacted in accordance with Standard Proctor Compaction (BS1377; ASTM1994), in terms of CBR, undrained shear strength, and yielding. The tested soil was of glacial origin and is classified as a low plasticity Sandy CLAY (CS). CBR tests were carried out on samples compacted at various water contents. Three specimens of the clay compacted using the same procedure as for the standard CBR tests were sheared under undrained condition at three different confining pressures. The initial suction generated as a result of compaction was measured using a pressure plate apparatus. The results indicate that the compaction water content has significant influence on CBR, undrained shear strength, and yield behaviour.
