Water retention curve of clayey sands determined from pore structure by using various methods

Besides standard approaches, the soil water retention curve (SWRC) can be estimated either from pore size distribution obtained by mercury intrusion porosimetry or freezing characteristic curve. These methods are based on simplified laws such as Young-Laplace for capillary suction ClausiusClapeyron cryo-suction. might not valid clayey sands where presence of clay particles would induce other mechanisms. This study aims to assess content's effect validity these two in determining SWRC sands. Clay were prepared at different contents mixing pure sand with kaolin prior compaction Proctor maximum dry density. Five (dry mass divided soil) considered (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20%). The reference was measurements. results show that SWRCs generally agreement SWRC. However, limited terms range (500 5 MPa) which is appropriate sands, while those significant discrepancy because structure heterogeneity compaction.