Irreversible effects of drying-wetting cycles on shrinkage and water retention of compacted London clay

Long-linear assets, such as roads and railways, supported by earthworks are susceptible to deterioration caused weather cycles, that translate into changes in soil hydro-mechanical properties. Failures these expected become more common due climate change periods of drought extreme rainfall events frequent. In the present study, effect suction range moisture cycle on soil-water retention curve (SWRC) shrink-swell (SSC) active London clay is investigated. Soil samples compacted at Proctor optimum conditions were subjected drying-wetting cycles within a variable interval. A SSC was observed when water content reduced below threshold approximates shrinkage limit. reduction ability hold with SWRCs becoming less steep, Primary Drying Line steeper than subsequent drying phases (Scanning Lines). Once Scanning intersects Line, yielding point identified, loses further suction. Irreversible deformations associated SWRC from cycles.