SOIL DEFORMATION AND SHEAR STRENGTH CHARACTERISTICS OF SOME CLAY SOILS AT DIFFERENT MOISTURE CONTENTS

The soil deformation and shear strength characteristics of three clay soils were determined at different moisture contents and spherical pressures, using a quick un-drained triaxial compression test. The soils were found to deform either in a compressive way or by brittle fissuring, depending upon the relative values of moisture content, dry density and spherical pressure. The critical state concept of soil deformation can explain qualitatively the behaviour of these spils at high moisture contents but not at low. The Bridgman concept for fracture in brittle materials describes the soil behaviour at low moisture contents. The shear strength of the clay soils tested was more closely related to the soil moisture suction and to the amount of shrinkage which occurred on drying than to the absolute dry bulk density. The influence of moisture content and spherical pressure on the effectiveness of certain cultivation operations are considered.