Total Suction of Artificial Mixtures of Soil Compacted at Optimum Water Content

The effect of soil composition on total suction is investigated. Thermocouple psychrometers are used to measure total suction of compacted specimens of artificial soil mixtures prepared using kaolinite, sodium montmorillonite, and a fine sand. Specimens are compacted in a Harvard miniature compaction mold at the optimum water content. The measured total suction is related to fine fraction and activity of the soil mixtures. The total suction is also compared with the swelling potential. A classification system is presented