Laboratory measurement of the mechanical and retention properties of a river embankment silty soil in partially saturated condition

C.G. Gragnano, G. Gottardi, M. Moscariello, S. Cuomo, Irene Rocchi

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperResearchpeer-review

    Abstract

    The unsaturated condition is a significant feature to be taken into account for the reliable evaluation of seepage and stability characteristics of river embankment during their lifetime and especially in the periods of high river water levels, as this has strong influence on the mechanical and hydraulic behavior of the soil. However, this is not specifically considered under the standard assessment procedures and current design guidelines. Accounting for unsaturated soil condition, actual stress states and hydraulic paths representative of in situ conditions would eventually lead to more reliable safety analyses and optimized design criteria. In this context, an extensive specific experimental programme has been carried out on intact specimens sampled from a riverbank, aiming at comprehensively characterizing the unsaturated soil behavior. The present study focuses on the laboratory devices used and the investigation methodologies, which included suction-controlled oedometer, direct shear and evaporation tests. Relevant data interpretation and comparison are also briefly presented and discussed. The main purpose of this contribution is to underline the practical implications of the use of advanced laboratory tests in the stability analysis of river embankments.
    Original languageEnglish
    Publication date2018
    Number of pages6
    Publication statusPublished - 2018
    Event7th International Conference on Unsaturated Soils - Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
    Duration: 3 Aug 20185 Aug 2018
    Conference number: 7

    Conference

    Conference7th International Conference on Unsaturated Soils
    Number7
    LocationHong Kong University of Science and Technology
    Country/TerritoryHong Kong
    CityHong Kong
    Period03/08/201805/08/2018

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