Triaxial Tensile Strength Measurement of Compacted Clayey Soils

What is it about?

A novel technique is developed for the measurement of triaxial tensile strength, which is a key parameter required in the rational design of earth structures made of compacted clayey soils, such as earth dams, slopes, and embankments. A simple technique is proposed for preparing soil specimens for testing with a reduced central section using a specially designed mould at different initial moisture contents but at the same dry density. The variation of triaxial tensile strength with the confining pressure shows a double-peak behavior and provide clear evidence of the nonlinearity of the failure criterion, especially when the soil is subjected to tension. The results of the present study provide a rational explanation of the tensile strength behavior of compacted clayey soils.

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