Development of modulus-soil moisture model for subgrade soils using suction control testing system

Abstract

In a pavement structure, moisture is an environmentally driven variable that can significantly affects the resilient modulus of subgrade soils. In this study, the variations of deformational modulus with post compaction moisture content were investigated for three subgrade soils using suction control resonant column and torsional shear (RC/TS) tests. A series of tests were performed to evaluate the modulus values using specimens compacted at various moisture contents and compared to the results obtained by post compaction method by suction controlling. Applicability of existing models which relate the modulus and soil moisture was assessed using test results and a model which relates the modulus and soil suction was newly proposed. Copyright ASCE 2006.