Effects of soil parameters and moisture content on stiffness of unsaturated blended laterite using tri-axial tests for rural roads

Abstract

Evaluation of subgrade strength and stiffness is essential in the design of pavements and construction of embankments for highways in order to ensure that roads perform their functions satisfactorily over a longer period. The grain size distribution and compaction moisture-content have an immense influence on the strength and stiffness of subgrades. Among the various laboratory tests for evaluation of shear strength parameters, and the modulus of elasticity of subgrades, the tri-axial test plays a major role in describing the geotechnical characteristics of the subgrade. This paper deals with an experimental investigation on unsaturated laterite soils blended with varying percentages of fines. It focuses on a study of the influence of various soil parameters on the stiffness and strength of soil samples compacted at optimum moisture content (OMC), at the drier side of OMC, and also at the wetter side of OMC, and the development of meaningful correlations. 2011 CAFET-INNOVA TECHNICAL SOCIETY.