Internal erosion of gravelly mudstone due to drying–wetting and hydraulic pressure cycles in oedometer test

Abstract

Disintegrated mudstone due to slaking, subjected to hydraulic pressure, could lead to internal erosion. To examine the combined effects of slaking and internal erosion on gravelly mudstone in one dimensional deformation under a constant vertical load, a series of modified oedometer tests and laboratory penetration tests were conducted with drying–wetting and hydraulic pressure cycles. Some loading conditions showed severe erosion along the drying–wetting cycle. Susceptibility to internal erosion was evaluated in terms of nonfilter and filter factor coefficients.