A NEW APPROACH TO OSMOTICALLY CONTROLLED OEDOMETER TESTING

This paper details a new approach to the application of the osmotic technique to control suction in oedometer testing. Matrix suction is controlled at the base of the sample and measured independently at the top using the Imperial College tensiometer. A new simple method has been devised for measuring moisture exchange between the sample and the osmotic solution. The following information can be monitored continuously on a computer during a test: moisture exchange, suction at the top of the sample and sample compression. A series of tests at different levels of suction have been carried out on samples of reconstituted kaolin to evaluate and calibrate the new system. (A) For the covering abstract see IRRD 881647.