Bearing Capacity Characteristic of Unsaturated Granular Soils

An experimental program of laboratory bearing tests was performed to characterize the bearing capacity of foundation on unsaturated granular soils. All tests were performed by pushing a circular rod on the surface of compacted sand specimens with different values of matric suction until failure. The test results show an increase in ultimate bearing capacity with increasing matric suction at low suction value but a decrease in that at high level of suction. The comparisons between the test results and simulations using the expressions proposed in this paper are presented and discussed. Good agreements are achieved for all testing values of suction.