Relationships between Shear Strength Parameters with Mineralogy and Index Properties of Compacted, Unsaturated Soils
The objective of this study is to assess the influences of soil index properties, swelling parameters, and soil mineralogy on unsaturated shear strength parameters (ϕ‘, ϕb, c‘) of compacted expansive soils. The laboratory tests include the grain size distribution, specific gravity (Gs), Atterberg li...
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2025-03-01
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| Series: | Studia Geotechnica et Mechanica |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.2478/sgem-2025-0006 |
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| author | Fondjo Armand Augustin Vanapalli Sai K. Ray Richard P. Theron Elizabeth |
| author_facet | Fondjo Armand Augustin Vanapalli Sai K. Ray Richard P. Theron Elizabeth |
| author_sort | Fondjo Armand Augustin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The objective of this study is to assess the influences of soil index properties, swelling parameters, and soil mineralogy on unsaturated shear strength parameters (ϕ‘, ϕb, c‘) of compacted expansive soils. The laboratory tests include the grain size distribution, specific gravity (Gs), Atterberg limits, swelling potential, X-ray diffraction, modified Proctor compaction, soil suction, and triaxial testing. MINITAB 19 statistical analysis software generates the tri-dimensional surface graphs. The values ϕ‘, ϕb, and c‘ are majorly influenced by water (%), Gs, and clay (%). ϕ‘ shows a strong correlation with free swell ratio (FSR), free swell index (FSI), and void ratio. ϕb demonstrates a strong relationship with liquid limit, plasticity index, and γd (dry unit weight). ϕ‘ and c‘ portray a moderate relationship with liquid limit, plasticity limit, and γd. ϕ‘ exhibits a moderate correlation with smectite (%) and plagioclase (%). ϕb describes a strong relationship with smectite (%) and a moderate correlation with plagioclase and K-feldspar (%). c‘ depicts a moderate correlation with smectite (%), K-feldspar (%), and plagioclase (%). The matric suction controls the behaviour of unsaturated soils. Nonetheless, the influences of soil index properties, swelling potential, and mineralogy on shear strength are not marginal. These findings provide a good insight into the behaviour of unsaturated expansive soils and contribute to enhancing geotechnical modelling. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2083-831X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Sciendo |
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| spelling | doaj-art-d5c3f8ddf06f40318ad0f385a3c2ec6e2025-08-20T02:11:51ZengSciendoStudia Geotechnica et Mechanica2083-831X2025-03-01471658810.2478/sgem-2025-0006Relationships between Shear Strength Parameters with Mineralogy and Index Properties of Compacted, Unsaturated SoilsFondjo Armand Augustin0Vanapalli Sai K.1Ray Richard P.2Theron Elizabeth3Department of Civil Engineering. Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment & Information Technology. Central University of Technology, Free State, South AfricaDepartment of Civil Engineering, University of Ottawa, CanadaStructural and Geotechnical Engineering Department, Széchenyi István Egyetem University, 9026 Gyor, Egyetem tér 1, HungaryDepartment of Civil Engineering. Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment & Information Technology. Central University of Technology, Free State, South AfricaThe objective of this study is to assess the influences of soil index properties, swelling parameters, and soil mineralogy on unsaturated shear strength parameters (ϕ‘, ϕb, c‘) of compacted expansive soils. The laboratory tests include the grain size distribution, specific gravity (Gs), Atterberg limits, swelling potential, X-ray diffraction, modified Proctor compaction, soil suction, and triaxial testing. MINITAB 19 statistical analysis software generates the tri-dimensional surface graphs. The values ϕ‘, ϕb, and c‘ are majorly influenced by water (%), Gs, and clay (%). ϕ‘ shows a strong correlation with free swell ratio (FSR), free swell index (FSI), and void ratio. ϕb demonstrates a strong relationship with liquid limit, plasticity index, and γd (dry unit weight). ϕ‘ and c‘ portray a moderate relationship with liquid limit, plasticity limit, and γd. ϕ‘ exhibits a moderate correlation with smectite (%) and plagioclase (%). ϕb describes a strong relationship with smectite (%) and a moderate correlation with plagioclase and K-feldspar (%). c‘ depicts a moderate correlation with smectite (%), K-feldspar (%), and plagioclase (%). The matric suction controls the behaviour of unsaturated soils. Nonetheless, the influences of soil index properties, swelling potential, and mineralogy on shear strength are not marginal. These findings provide a good insight into the behaviour of unsaturated expansive soils and contribute to enhancing geotechnical modelling.https://doi.org/10.2478/sgem-2025-0006expansive soilsshear strengthmatric suctionsoil index propertiesswelling potentialsoil mineralogy |
| spellingShingle | Fondjo Armand Augustin Vanapalli Sai K. Ray Richard P. Theron Elizabeth Relationships between Shear Strength Parameters with Mineralogy and Index Properties of Compacted, Unsaturated Soils Studia Geotechnica et Mechanica expansive soils shear strength matric suction soil index properties swelling potential soil mineralogy |
| title | Relationships between Shear Strength Parameters with Mineralogy and Index Properties of Compacted, Unsaturated Soils |
| title_full | Relationships between Shear Strength Parameters with Mineralogy and Index Properties of Compacted, Unsaturated Soils |
| title_fullStr | Relationships between Shear Strength Parameters with Mineralogy and Index Properties of Compacted, Unsaturated Soils |
| title_full_unstemmed | Relationships between Shear Strength Parameters with Mineralogy and Index Properties of Compacted, Unsaturated Soils |
| title_short | Relationships between Shear Strength Parameters with Mineralogy and Index Properties of Compacted, Unsaturated Soils |
| title_sort | relationships between shear strength parameters with mineralogy and index properties of compacted unsaturated soils |
| topic | expansive soils shear strength matric suction soil index properties swelling potential soil mineralogy |
| url | https://doi.org/10.2478/sgem-2025-0006 |
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