Evaluation of Shear Strength Functions Based on Soil Water Characteristic Curves

Abstract

Abstract The objective of this paper is to examine the variation of shear strength with respect to suction and develop a simple method for prediction of suction from shear strength data. The measured values of total suction and the shear strength of the soils are used to predict a fitting parameter that defines the nonlinear variation of suction with shear strength. The equation proposed by Vanapalli and Fredlund is used. The parameter is estimated for two types of soils, red soil and black cotton soil, available in the state of Karnataka, using measured values of total suction and unconfined compressive strength by nonlinear regression analysis. The nonlinear equations developed between suction and unconfined shear strength are useful in unsaturated soil engineering practice.