Coupling cyclic and water retention response of a clayey sand subjected to traffic and environmental cycles

Compacted soils used as formation layers of railways and roads continuously undergo water content suction changes due to seasonal variations. Such variations, together with the impact cyclic traffic-induced loads, can alter hydro-mechanical behaviour soil, which in turn affects performance superstructure. This study investigates hydraulic cycles on coupled retention response a compacted soil. Suction-monitored triaxial tests were performed clayey sand. The soil obtained after applying drying wetting paths was different that immediately compaction. results showed both degree saturation are required interpret behaviour. A new approach developed using (a) hysteretic model predict variations during loading (b) Bishop's stress bonding parameter accumulated permanent strain resilient modulus. proposed formulations able behaviour, strains modulus well, indicating potential capability fundamentals unsaturated for predicting effects response.