ABSTRACT
In this work we wish to elaborate more on this issue. Instead of studying the material under general stress conditions using double structure approach, we select specific experiments, where the global response is predominantly governed by the behaviour of aggregates. We show that, subject to reasonable assumptions, different features of the bentonite behaviour can be predicted solely on the basis of unconfined water retention curve data. Among other consequences, our findings imply validity of the Terzaghi effective stress principle to represent the clay aggregate behaviour. Theoretical analysis of this consequence can be found in a journal paper (Mašín & Khalili 2013). Our evaluation is directly applicable to specific suction range only, in which the microstructure remains saturated and macrovoids are either dry, or they are effectively closed thanks to the high compaction level.
