Test for Sterength Deterioration by Dry-Wet Cycle

1. Purpose of the Test

One factor of the destruction of embankmant is considered to be the strength reduction of the
embanked material due to repeat of dry-wet condition for the long term.
The strength reduction of the embanked material is considerably caused by density deterioration
due to swelling by lack of sufficient compaction.
The purpose of the Test is to examine the relation between density and strength reduction,
perfoming the strength test for every specimens compacted in various ratio after repeat of
specified dry-wet cycles.

2. Test Requirement
Optimum moisture content (Wopt) and maximum dry density (ρdmax) of the material shall be
obtained by correspondent compaction test. Unconfined compressive strength test shall be
applied for the strength test for specimen. Two (2) specimen shall be prepared for every required
condition.
Total quantity for one (1) material shall be as follows:

Tab.2.1 Modified Quantity

No. of Moisture Degree of Wet and Dry Condition Quantitiy of
Specimen Content Compaction Specimen
D80-0a None (already finished by compaction test) 0
D80-0b Wet 2
D80-01 Wet→ (Dry→Wet) x 1 cycle 2
D80-02 Wopt 80% Wet→ (Dry→Wet) x 2 cycle 2 12
D80-04 Wet→ (Dry→Wet) x 4 cycle 2
D80-08 Wet→ (Dry→Wet) x 8 cycle 2
D80-16 Wet→ (Dry→Wet) x 16 cycle 2
D90-0a None (already finished by compaction test) 0
D90-0b Wet 2
D90-01 Wet→ (Dry→Wet) x 1 cycle 2
D90-02 Wopt 90% Wet→ (Dry→Wet) x 2 cycle 2 12
D90-04 Wet→ (Dry→Wet) x 4 cycle 2
D90-08 Wet→ (Dry→Wet) x 8 cycle 2
D90-16 Wet→ (Dry→Wet) x 16 cycle 2
D95-0a None (already finished by compaction test) 0
D95-0b Wet 2
D95-01 Wet→ (Dry→Wet) x 1 cycle 2
D95-02 Wopt 98% Wet→ (Dry→Wet) x 2 cycle 2 12
D95-04 Wet→ (Dry→Wet) x 4 cycle 2
D95-08 Wet→ (Dry→Wet) x 8 cycle 2
D95-16 Wet→ (Dry→Wet) x 16 cycle 2
Total 36

3. Method of Making Specimen

(1) PVC pipe of 50mm diameter shall be cut with about 12cm length as a mold for making
specimen.
(2) Put a porous stone on the bottom of PVC pipe, and put a filter paper above the porpus stone.
(3) One third (1/3) amount of necessary weight of each specimen (for diameter 5cm, hight 10 cm,
cubic volume 196.3cm3) shall be calculated and be sacked. Required quantity of each specimen
(compaction rate: D=80, 90, 98%) shall be prepared. Material shall be controled with optimum
moisture content in advance of measurement..
(4) Put the weighed sample into PVC pipe, and compact it so as the hight becomes 33mm of
even surface.
After scratch the above surface put the another weighed sample into the PVC pipe, and compact
it so as the hight becomes 66mm of even surface.
After scratch the above surface put the third weighed sample into the PVC pipe, and compact it
so as the total hight becomes 100mm of even surface.
(5) Put the another filter paper and porous stone on the above specimen, and press it slightly for
no space between specimen and filter paper. (total 48 specimens shall be numbered as Tab.2.1)

Porous Stone

Filter Paper

PVC pipe of inside diameter 50

mm, about 12 cm height
Specimen made by
3 layers compaction

Filter Paper

Porous Stone of diameter 50mm,

about 5mm height

4. Repeat of Dry-Wet for Specimen

(1) Measure the whole weight of the specimen with PVC pipe, porous stone and filter paper.
Prior to this, the total weight of PVC pipe with porous stone and filter paper shall be measured
(for every specimens).
(2) Submerge the above specemens to be saturated for three (3) days. (2 pieces for the Test, see
below items 5. 6.)
(3) All other specimens shall be dried in warm/hot condition for one (1) week (7 days). Dry
condition will be provided by dry oven set at 60ºC or black box with many holes under direct
sunlight.
(4) Above (2) and (3) shall be repeated up to designated cycles.
5. Preparation of the Specimen
(1) Extrude the specimen from PVC pipe.
(2) Form the specimen by cutting 1 cm of both sides (upper part and lower part).
(3) Measure the dimeter, height and weight of each specimen.

6. Unconfined Compressive Strength Test

(1) Unconfined compressive strength test shall be performed by relevant ASTM standard.
(2) Measure the moisture content after execution of test.
(3) Average strength value among two specimen shall be applied.

7. Arrangement of the Test Result

(1) Make up the diagram of relation between dry-wet cycles and unconfined compressive
strengths.