Shrinkage Geometry of a Heavy Clay Soil at Various Stresses

Abstract

Abstract The shrinkage geometry of a clay soil drying from saturation to oven dryness was investigated. Undisturbed samples in rings measuring 232 cm 3 were taken in the field at depths of 0.0, 0.20, 0.40 and 0.60 m. Overburden pressures at these four depths were determined by wet bulk‐density determination. Samples were oven dried with various loads applied on top. Surface subsidence and total volume decrease after drying were measured. It appeared that, for each soil layer, shrinkage at overburden pressures equal to or larger than field pressures was isotropic. When the load was removed during drying, subsoil samples showed relatively large cracking in comparison with surface subsidence.