The Mechanical Aging of Soils

TLDR

Soils undergo aging, during which their engineering properties can improve markedly over practical time scales. The paper presents research and practical examples of soil aging. The study reviews the triaxial IDS test and uses it to examine whether aging improvements arise from frictional or cohesive mechanisms. The results show that soil stiffening and strengthening during aging are purely frictional, driven by particle dispersion and internal stress arching, and the paper offers practical applications of these mechanical aging effects.

Abstract

Soils age. Their engineering properties often improve significantly during aging times of practical interest to engineers. This paper provides examples from research and practice. It includes a review of the triaxial IDS test, followed by examples of its use to investigate the question of whether the aging improvements result from frictional or cohesive effects. Contrary to most current thinking, the soil stiffening and strengthening appears entirely frictional in effect. The aging effects described appear mechanical, resulting from dispersive particle movements and internal stress arching under drained conditions. The paper concludes with suggestions for using these mechanical aging effects in practice.