A Stress-Controlled Study of Swelling Characteristics of Compacted Expansive Clays

Abstract

Abstract The swelling characteristics of statically compacted expansive clays subjected to given isotropic and anisotropic stress conditions were investigated with a triaxial cell apparatus. A unique relationship was found between maximum volumetric swelling and mean normal stresses. From this relationship one can determine a null swelling pressure that will cause neither swelling nor compression or consolidation or both. It was also determined that the maximum axial and radial swelling decrease exponentially with increase in mean normal stress; this relationship is dependent on the principal stress ratio. The swelling ratio (defined as the ratio of axial swelling to radial swelling) was found to decrease with time allowed for swelling, reaching an equilibrium value termed the equilibrium swelling ratio, which is a function of the boundary loading conditions.