Retention curves and 1-D behaviour of a compacted tectonised unsaturated clay

Abstract

Roller-compacted tectonised clays were successfully used, in Italy, for the core of two dams built in Sicily in 1962 and are to be used for other large dams. Researches have been, as yet, carried out on this clay as a saturated material. The degree of saturation of the core of an earth-dam is lower than unity, at least before impoundment and before advancement of the wetting front. This is the reason why a great interest has arisen concerning the study of tectonised clays in the unsaturated range. First laboratory results obtained on one of this compacted tectonised nearly saturated clay are reported and discussed in this paper. Soil water retention curves and osmotic suction were determined. A new suction controlled oedometer was used to perform laboratory tests intended to simulate the deformations of the compacted clay after its loading and wetting.