Effect of Moisture Content on Soils
Effect of Moisture Content on Soils
(OP)
I often see the following excerpt in soils reports:
"Since water has a significant influence on soil, the natural moisture content provides an indicator of the soil's compressibility, strength, and potential expansion characteristics."
I never see any references to moisture correlations in the subsequent analysis, and am wondering where these characteristics come in to play. Does anyone have some resources where I can see how the moisture content affects the characteristics listed above, or is it just based on "rules of thumb"? Also, these correlations would never be accurate enough to substitute for testing, correct?
Thanks so much for your help.





RE: Effect of Moisture Content on Soils
Consider the following: If you have a fat clay with a natural moisture content of 10 percent, what information can you discern? If it began its life as a muddy ooze and dried out, it may have a moisture content of 10 percent. If it was an overconsolidated clay layer and dried out it may also have a natural moisture content of 10 percent. They will behave completly different however when re-hydrated.
It is incorrect to assume that rehydration of soils leads to loss of strength. It is correct to ask whether it is possible however.
f-d
¡papá gordo ain’t no madre flaca!
RE: Effect of Moisture Content on Soils
this doesn't answers all your questions but thought i'd add a few comments to see if it might tie something together. the compressibility and strength apply to this stuff but expansion does not.
RE: Effect of Moisture Content on Soils
RE: Effect of Moisture Content on Soils
It seems like the consultants I work with prefer to correlate blow counts with strength instead of performing shear tests and take Atterberg limits over expansivity testing - there was a post awhile back in the Soil Testing forum that asked whether professionals were performing fewer tests in general these days and the consensus seemed to be 'yes' - any thoughts on when more should be requested?
RE: Effect of Moisture Content on Soils
RE: Effect of Moisture Content on Soils
I guess time will help me get a feel for what I need in these reports. Thanks again for everyone's help - this is a great forum.