Hydromechanical behavior of unsaturated soils: Interpretation of compression curves in terms of effective stress

This state-of-the-art paper on the hydromechanical behavior of unsaturated soils focuses interpretation compression curves in terms effective stress, with goal understanding relative impacts suction net yield stress and slope virgin line (VCL) during a monotonic increase stress. A database was compiled for both high low plasticity fine-grained under wide range suctions, isotropic or oedometric states, drainage conditions (constant constant water content) preparation techniques (impact compaction, static consolidation from slurry). Most plotted revealed consistent hardening response increasing slight dependency VCL. Interpretation led to load-collapse similar shape soils. evaluated had greater rate than suction, implying that these compacted may be susceptible collapse upon wetting. Inconsistent trends were observed some studies, which attributed partially natural variability but also experimental issues limitations investigated. Accordingly, recommendations are provided future studies ensure results can clearly interpreted