1.5 - Conducting Tests on Unsaturated Soils
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Practice Questions
Test your understanding with targeted questions
What is the unconfined compressive strength called?
💡 Hint: Identify the term we use to represent maximum axial stress in an unconfined test.
What is the confining pressure (σ3) during the unconfined compression test?
💡 Hint: Think about what 'unconfined' means in terms of pressure.
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Interactive Quizzes
Quick quizzes to reinforce your learning
What does unsaturated refer to in unsaturated soils?
💡 Hint: Consider what 'unsaturated' means in terms of water content.
The unconfined compressive strength qu is equal to what during the test?
💡 Hint: Remember the definition of qu in the context of this test.
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Challenge Problems
Push your limits with advanced challenges
A soil sample shows an unconfined compressive strength of 150 kPa and is tested under increasing levels of saturation. If the saturation increases to 80%, what would you predict occurs to the strength? Explain your reasoning.
💡 Hint: Recall the relationship between water content and soil stability.
In a field study, a retaining wall is constructed on a saturated clay layer. Using the knowledge from the unconfined compression test, outline how you would evaluate its integrity following heavy rainfall.
💡 Hint: Investigate how the test may reveal changes in soil properties post-rainfall.
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