Twin-Cell Stress Path Apparatus for Testing Unsaturated Soils
Sivakumar, R
Research Student, Queen’s University Belfast, School of Civil Engineering, Belfast, United Kingdom

Sivakumar, V
Senior Lecturer, Queen’s University Belfast, School of Civil Engineering, Belfast, United Kingdom

Blatz, J
Assistant Professor, University of Manitoba, Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada

Vimalan, J
Director, V J Tech Ltd, Reading, United Kingdom

(Received 11 January 2005; accepted 10 October 2005)

Abstract

Determination of specific volume changes of unsaturated soils remains a challenging issue in soil testing for a number of reasons. Various attempts have been made over the years to improve the techniques of sample volume change measurement. This technical note reports the benefit of using a fully automated twin-cell stress path apparatus for measuring sample volume change and hence determining the specific volume. The system requires calibration for apparent volume change due to expansion of plastic tubes and connections. The results have shown excellent repeatability of the apparent volume change during the loading and unloading process.

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Author Sivakumar R, Sivakumar V, Blatz J, Vimalan J Title Twin-Cell Stress Path Apparatus for Testing Unsaturated Soils Symposium , Committee on