A new method of studying collapsibility of loess

Abstract

A new triaxial testing system that could control suction in wetting-induced collapsible tests was successfully developed to study the suction effects on wetting-induced collapsible deformation. The pedestal of the triaxial cell was made up of two parts, and the equipment not only could control suction but also could make water accessible to soil. A pressure/volume-controlled equipment was combined with the triaxial system to measure the water volume absorbed by samples accurately and to add pressure on water to filtrate into the sample. The apparatus could measure volume change precisely and keep the deviator stress unvaried, as well as measure the volume of water filtrating into the samples exactly. A triaxial collapsible testing procedure was described using the new apparatus for undisturbed collapsible loess with controlled suction. Furthermore, a series of double triaxial collapsible tests were conducted under different suctions and the same net cell pressure, and tests under different net cell pressures and the same suction were also done. It was indicated that the collapsible deformation increased with the increasing suction, and the effect of the net cell pressure on collapsible deformation was remarkable. The new triaxial apparatus was a useful facility to study the collapsible behavior of loess.

Keywords

triaxial apparatus for collapsible soils / controlled suction / pressure/volume controlled equipment / double triaxial collapsible test / single triaxial collapsible test