Wetting characteristics of compacted bentonites at large applied suctions

The wetting suction-water content soil-water characteristic curves of two bentonites (MX80 and Yellow) were experimentally established using vapour equilibrium technique for a suction range of 3.0 to 300.0 MPa. Compacted bentonites specimens were prepared by statically compacting bentonite powder at targeted densities of 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4 Mg/m3. The bentonite specimens still within the specimen rings were equilibrated at several relative humidities in test desiccators at zero applied stress. The test results clearly showed that the influence of compaction dry density on the wetting characteristics of the bentonites was insignificant for the entire range of suction considered. On the other hand, the chemical properties of the bentonites influenced the equilibrium water contents