Change in the hydromechanical characteristics of embankment material due to compaction state conditions

AbstractIn recent years, earthquakes and heavy rains have frequently caused soil embankments to collapse. In order to prevent the collapse of embankments, it is well known that sufficient compaction and drainage control are necessary. Although numerous research findings have described compacted soils, compaction management has been essentially based on simple parameters such as dry density, degree of saturation or air content. It is important for the construction of a stiff embankment that the effect of compaction condition on the mechanical properties and inherent anisotropy of compacted soil should be recognized in detail. In the present study, the relationships between the compaction condition and the mechanical properties obtained from laboratory tests using saturated specimens are presented. Specifically, undrained monotonic and cyclic shear strength, shear modulus, and permeability are reported. The arrangements of soil particles were also observed with a microscope. From the observation of fabric characteristics of soil particles, an inherent anisotropy of compacted soil is discussed. Furthermore, a conceptualization of the relationship between the fabric of soil particles and the mechanical characteristics for each compaction condition is suggested