11. Effect on Stress Strain Characteristics

Try these first

1. 1.

   What is compaction?

   Hint

   Think about how soils are processed during construction.

2. 2.

   What happens to permeability when soil is compacted?

   Hint

   Consider how water flows through soil.

3. 3.

   What happens to the strength of soil when compacted dry of optimum?

   • It decreases
   • It stays the same
   • It increases

   Hint

   Relate this to the effects of void space.

4. 4.

   True or False: Soil compacted wet of optimum has better shear strength than dry compacted soil.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Think about the particle arrangements in both cases.

5. 5.

   A construction site requires a foundation on clayey soil. How would moisture content influence your compaction strategy? Discuss.

   Hint

   Think about how moisture impacts clay behavior.

6. 6.

   Model a stress-strain curve for both dry and wet compacted soils. Describe their differences in behavior under load.

   Hint

   Refer back to the properties of each condition.