Numerical Modeling of Unsaturated Soils Problems

Unsaturated soils: From constitutive modelling to numerical algorithms

This paper presents an overview of constitutive modelling of unsaturated soils and the numerical algorithms for solving the associated boundary value problems. It first discusses alternative stress and strain variables that can be used in constitutive models for unsaturated soils. The paper then discusses the key issues in unsaturated soil modelling and how these issues can be incorporated into...

Estimation of Water Retention Curve for Unsaturated Fine Soils

In order to obtain the soil water retention curve of an unsaturated soil which is defined as the relationship between water content and suction, extensive laboratory tests are essential. These laboratory tests are usually costly and time consuming. Moreover, for most practical problems, it has been found that approximate unsaturated soil properties are adequate for analysis. Thus, empirical pro...

Theoretical Undrained Shear Behaviour of Unsaturated Soils

Prediction method for undrained shear behaviour of unsaturated soils is discussed in this paper. Based on Original Cam Clay model, authors have proposed constitutive model for unsaturated soils that the effect of water content is incorporated into superloading surface concept. Firstly, stress path of constant volume shear test is formulated under constant void ratio condition. And relationship ...

Unsaturated Hydraulic Conductivity of Fractal-Textured Soils

Numerical Modeling of Desiccation Cracking in Compacted Soils

Desiccation cracking and its implications will be more of an issue due to the global warming trends. Soils tend to shrink when they lose moisture. In particular, fine-grained soils are susceptible to shrinkage and the resulting volume change. Shrinkage can cause cracking of soils that can adversely impact the engineering properties and behavior of the soils. As a result, the integrity of struct...