Prediction of the modulus of elasticity of compacted unsaturated expansive soils

Abstract

A semi-empirical model was proposed by for predicting the variation of the modulus of elasticity with respect to matric suction for soils with plasticity index Ip values lower than 16%. This model has been extended in this paper to predict the modulus of elasticity of unsaturated expansive soils. The information required for using the model include the soil–water characteristic curve (SWCC) and the modulus of elasticity of soil under saturated condition along with two fitting parameters. Experimental data of triaxial tests for three different expansive soils from the literature were used to examine the validity of the model. The results of the study suggest that the model can reasonably predict the modulus of elasticity of unsaturated expansive soils. The study results are encouraging in reliably using the modulus of elasticity based method proposed by for estimation of the volume change behavior of expansive soils.