ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: Isotropic collapse tests under controlled matric suction have been performed on artificially prepared clay and low plasticity silt. Two different compaction processes have been selected: a one-dimensional static compaction procedure on volume basis performed on the clay and a stress-controlled isotropic static compaction procedure on the silty material. Testing programme has been accomplished with a new suction controlled triaxial cell, which allows registering the time evolution of local axial and radial deformations. A selection of results including time evolution of axial and radial strains and water content change, as well as equilibrated states at the end of every suction step, is presented for a wetting-drying cycle. A clear anisotropy upon main wetting has been observed due to the anisotropic loading condition imposed to the specimen under one-dimensional static compaction. However, this anisotropy decreases progressively upon suction induced plastic volumetric straining in the main wetting path. On the other hand, the isotropically compacted sample shows a nearly isotropic volume change evolution in the main wetting path.
