Effect of osmotic suction on shear strength of unsaturated soils

The objectives of this project were to investigate the effect of osmotic suction on shear strength of unsaturated soils. The soil used for this project is residual soil from Bukit Timah Granite in Singapore. Soils were compacted with different pore water to alter the osmotic suction of the soil specimens. Pore water used were distilled water and sodium chloride (NaCl) solution. The shear strength of the compacted soil specimens was measured by unconfined compression triaxial test. The suction of the soil specimen was measured by the chilled-mirror dew point device and the electrical conductivity meter. The unconfined compression strength of the compacted soil specimens were obtained at different elapsed times. The matric suction was calculated as the difference between measured total suction and osmotic suction of the specimen. Osmotic suction was not observed to show any significant influence on the unconfined compression strength of the compacted soil specimens. Suggestions for further improvement of the experiment are also included in the report.Bachelor of Engineering (Civil