Distribution Characteristics and Prediction of Equilibrium Moisture of Non saturated Clay Subgrade

The space distribution characteristics of equilibrium moisture of non saturated clay subgrade were surveyed along the road cross section by the in situ and laboratory tests. Based on the basic theory of unsaturated soil mechanics, matric suctions of soil samples with different kinds of moisture condition were determined and the soil water characteristic curve model was calibrated to reflect a single valued function relationship between water content and matric suction of clay soils. Combining the above results, an estimation method of the equilibrium moisture of the unsaturated clay subgrade outside the affected zone of atmospheric precipitation/evaporation was established. The results show that the atmospheric precipitation/evaporation has significant effect on moisture condition of the subgrade soil located in the upper part of the subgrade near the central reserve and hard shoulders. However, equilibrium moisture of subgrade soil outside the affected zone of atmospheric precipitation/evaporation is mainly controlled by the impact of the groundwater table. Fredlund & Xing model can be used to characterize the relationship between the unsaturated clay soil moisture and matric suction, and the fitting results of model parameters have high reliability. A consistency between the predictive results and the experimental data shows the presented model is accurate and credible.