Swelling Behavior of a Desiccated Clay

Abstract This study examines the impact of varying the compaction (dry) density and water content on the swelling behavior of desiccated clay soil. Specimens in the shrunken state that have a history of four cycles of wetting and drying are referred to as desiccated specimens in this study. Experimental results showed that the volumetric swell potentials of the desiccated soil specimens were independent of their compaction water contents, but were strongly influenced by their initial void ratios. Comparatively, the vertical swell potentials of the desiccated specimens were independent of their initial water contents and initial void ratios. The results of this study indicated the existence of an optimum void ratio for the examined compacted specimens. Specimens compacted to this void ratio exhibit similar volumetric swell potentials in the as-compacted state and after cycles of wetting and drying.