DEPENDENCE OF COMPACTED-CLAY COMPRESSIBILITY ON COMPACTION VARIABLES

Conventional oedometer tests were performed on a kneading- compacted, highly plastic residual clay to determine the effects of water content, dry density, and compaction pressure on the as-compacted and soaked compressibility behavior of the clay. Environmental changes caused by increased saturation were simulated by using a back- pressuring technique. Of interest was the one-dimensional percentage change in volume on wetting under load. Statistical analyses were performed to establish the best predictive model for one-dimensional percentage change in volume on saturation in terms of the important compaction variables. The statistical model shows that initial water content and nominal compaction pressure are the principal variables that affect this response. Such equations allow prediction and control of the compressibility of high, cohesive embankments. (Author)