Effect of Moisture Content, Void

Ratio and Compacted Sand Content

On the Shear Strength of Remolded
Unsaturated Clay
Li-chang Wang *
School of Geosciences and Info-Physics, Central South University,
Changsha 410083, China; Key Laboratory of Metallogenic Prediction of
Nonferrous Metals, Ministry of Education, Central South University,
Changsha 410083, China
*Corresponding Author; e-mail: wlccsu@126.com

Wei Long
School of Geosciences and Info-Physics, Central South University,
Changsha 410083, China; Key Laboratory of Metallogenic Prediction of
Nonferrous Metals, Ministry of Education, Central South University,
Changsha 410083, China

Shi-juan Gao
School of Geosciences and Info-Physics, Central South University,
Changsha 410083, China; Key Laboratory of Metallogenic Prediction of
Nonferrous Metals, Ministry of Education, Central South University,
Changsha 410083, China

ABSTRACT
Remolding soil samples by compaction for fast direct shear tests. Direct shear tests with
controlled water content, void ratio and sand content equaling constants were conducted to
study the shear strength parameters of remolded unsaturated clayey soils. The tests are
quick to perform according to four classes of vertical load (100kPa, 200kPa, 300kPa,
400kPa). The results show that the cohesion and angle of internal friction decrease with
increasing of moisture content, void ratio and sand content. The correlations between
cohesion and angle of internal friction and moisture content, void ratio and sand content
were obtained by using the least square method to fit the experimental data. The regression
equations between cohesion and angle of internal friction and moisture content, void ratio
and sand content were obtained by using multiple linear regression method. The results of
significance tests and analysis of variance show that the linear relationships between the
variables are highly significant and the equations are reliable.

KEYWORDS: Unsaturated clay; shear strength; least square method; multiple linear

regression method

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 Vol. 19 [2014], Bund. Q 4414

INTRODUCTION
Shear strength is the ultimate resistance force to limit damage when the soil was sheared by
force, which is one of the most significant indicators of soil physical properties[1]. The main
effects of shear strength are the species of soil structure, moisture content, void ratio and the
amount of sand. The shear strength of unsaturated soils has been studied more than 50 years.
There are several typical strength theories: the shear strength theory of unsaturated soils has been
established by Bishop and Fredlund in 1960 and 1978 respectively[2,3], the adsorption strength
theory derived by Zhao-jun Lu[4], and the hyperbolic model of suction strength proposed by Lin-
chang Miao[5].A number of studies have been conducted and theoretical formulas and the
constitutive models have been established on the experimental determination of shear strength of
unsaturated soils[6-8]. Strength characteristics modeling of lateritic soils has been established using
adaptive neural networks in order to research the shear strength[9].Evaluating effects of suction on
shear strength of unsaturated soils under low confining pressure and examining the relationships
between suction, shear strength behavior, and volumetric deformation using newly developed
direct shear testing equipment for compacting weathered granite soils[10].The relationship between
the shear strength of unsaturated clay and moisture content has been analyzed and the relationship
between shear strength and soil suction of compacted Ankara clay was investigated at different
moisture contents[11,12].The relationship between shear strength parameters and physical state
variables of remolded unsaturated clayey soil has been obtained on the triaxial experiment and the
soil specimen remolded by compacting the soil in layers[13]. The linear relationship between the
safety factor and soil parameters has been achieved on the basis of the double-stress invariant
theory of unsaturated soil and sensitivity analysis and influence of mechanical parameters on
shear strength of unsaturated soil slope[14]. This paper deals with the results of an experimental
study carried out on remolded compacted unsaturated clay to investigate the impacts of water
content, void ratio and sand content on the shear strength parameters of the clay and present
correlation equations between influencing factors and shear strength parameters.

CONSTRUCTION OF TEST AND PREPARATION OF

SAMPLE
The tests were performed on remolded compacted unsaturated soil samples obtained from the
typical lateritic clay of the construction site in Changsha, China. The air-dried lateritic clay has
been crushed and sieved for the preparation of soil samples. The physical characteristics of that
are shown in Table 1.

Table 1: The basic physical parameters of the tested clay

Particle Air-dried Specific Gravity Liquid Limit
Soil type Plastic Limit wp
size w0 GS wL
Clay ≤0.075mm 3% 2.68 34.5% 21.2%

The properties of the standard sand used in this experimental study are as follows: Grain size
= 0.075 ~ 2mm and Specific Gravity = 2.64.This paper presents the multistage direct shear test
using conventional strain controlled direct shear apparatus according to four classes of vertical
 Vol. 19 [2014], Bund. Q 4415

load (100kPa, 200kPa, 300kPa, 400kPa) as a rapid method to determine the shear strength of
unsaturated soils. In order to control the degree of compaction accurately, the special apparatus
for compacting soil samples has been designed just as shown in Fig.1. The compacted soil sample
size is D = 70mm, H = 25mm, and the volume is 96.21cm3 (direct shear soil sample size is
d=61.8mm, h=20mm, and the volume is 60cm3). Water content, void ratio and sand content of the
soil samples have been controlled accurately through adjusting the amount and proportion of air-
dried soil, water and sand on the experimental study. Analysis of the effects of moisture content,
void ratio and sand content on the shear strength parameters (the cohesion c, the angle of internal
friction φ) has been worked out by using a single factor analysis test.

Figure 1: Compacting sample apparatus

Preparation of soil samples of water content controlled

There are ten soil samples have been prepared by compacting air-dried soil of 3% water content
and the certain amount of water to study the effects of water content on the shear strength parameters
(c, φ). The properties of prepared samples are as follows: void ratio e = 0.6, water content w = 10%,
12%, 14%, 16%, 18%, 20%, 22%, 24%, 26% and 28%.
The calculations of parameters of the prepared sample are as follows:
ρs ρV
e= − 1= s − 1
ρd ms

ρ sV
ms =
e +1 (1)

mw0 = ms + ms ⋅ w0
(2)

mw0
=
mw ⋅ ( w − w0 )
(1 + w0 ) (3)

The formulas for calculating the weight of air-dried soil and the amount of water for remolding
soil samples are as follows:
 Vol. 19 [2014], Bund. Q 4416

ρ sV
mw= ⋅ (1 + w0 )
0
e +1 (4)

ρ sV
mw= ⋅ ( w − w0 )
e +1 (5)

where e = void ratio, w = water content, ρs = the specific gravity of soil particles, ρd = dry density, V =
Volume, ms = weight of soil, w0 = water content of air-dried soil, mwo = weight of air-dried soil, and
mw= weight of water.
Using Eqs. (4) and (5), the weight of air-dried soil and the certain amount of water for preparing
soil samples under different water contents have been worked out just as shown in Table2.

Table 2: Formula of remolded soil sample under different water content

Water content Weight of air-dried soil Weight of water
Number
w(%) mw0(g) mw(g)
1 10% 165.99 11.28
2 12% 165.99 14.50
3 14% 165.99 17.73
4 16% 165.99 20.95
5 18% 165.99 24.17
6 20% 165.99 27.40
7 22% 165.99 30.62
8 24% 165.99 33.84
9 26% 165.99 37.06
10 28% 165.99 40.29

Preparation of soil samples of void ratio controlled

There are four soil samples have been prepared by compacting air-dried soil of 3% water content
and the certain amount of water to study the effects of void ratio on the shear strength parameters (c,
φ). The properties of prepared samples are as follows: water content w = 16%, void ratio e = 0.4, 0.6,
0.8 and 1.0. Using Eqs. (4) and (5), the weight of air-dried soil and the certain amount of water for
preparing soil samples under different void ratio have been worked out just as shown in Table3.

Table 3: Formula of remolded soil sample under different void ratio

Void ratio Weight of air- dried soil Weight of water
Number
e mw0(g) mw(g)
11 0.40 189.70 23.94
12 0.60 165.99 20.95
13 0.80 147.54 18.62
14 1.00 132.79 16.76
 Vol. 19 [2014], Bund. Q 4417

Preparation of soil samples of sand content controlled

The main component of the standard sand is quartz, and the grain sizes = 0.075～2.0mm.There
are eight soil samples have been prepared by compacting air-dried soil of 3% water content, the
certain amount of water and sand to study the effects of sand content on the shear strength parameters
(c, φ). The properties of the prepared samples are as follows: water content w = 16%, void ratio e =
0.6, sand content s = 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35% and 40%. The calculations of parameters
of the prepared sample are as follows:
The mean of specific gravity of soil-sand mixed particles is：

ρ s ⋅ ρ ss
ρ=
ρ ss + s ⋅ ( ρ s − ρ ss ) (6)

ρ ρV ρV
e= − 1= −1 Ms =
ρd Ms e +1 (7)

=
ms M s (1 − s ) (8)

msd = ms·s (9)

mw0 = ms + ms ⋅ w0
(10)

mw = M s ⋅ w − ms w0 (11)

The formulas for calculating the weight of air-dried soil and sand and the amount of water for
remolding soil samples are as follows:

ρV
mw= ⋅ (1 − s ) ⋅ (1 + w0 )
0
e +1 (12)

ρV
⋅s
msd= e + 1 (13)

ρV
m= ⋅ ( w − w0 + s ⋅ w0 )
e +1
w
(14)

Where s = sand content, ρ = the mean of specific gravity of soil-sand mixed particles, ρss = the
specific gravity of sand particles, Ms = weight of soil-sand mixed, and msd = weight of standard sand.
Using Eqs. (12)- (14), the weight of air-dried soil and sand, the certain amount of water for preparing
soil samples under different sand contents have been worked out just as shown in Table4.
 Vol. 19 [2014], Bund. Q 4418

Table 4: Formula of remolded soil sample under different sand content

Sand content Weight of air-dried soil Weight of water Weight of sand
Number
s(%) mw0(g) mw(g) msd(g)
15 5% 157.57 27.62 8.05
16 10% 149.16 27.84 16.09
17 15% 140.77 28.06 24.12
18 20% 132.39 28.28 32.13
19 25% 124.02 28.50 40.14
20 30% 115.66 28.72 48.13
21 35% 107.32 28.93 56.11
22 40% 98.99 29.15 64.07

The mixture of soil, sand and water has been presented based on calculation of formula of
remolded soil sample and then is sealed in cool place not less than 24 hours, until the water evenly
throughout the soil-sand, and then the fully-mixed soil, sand and water will be transferred to a
compacting sample apparatus. In the compacting sample apparatus, the soil samples (every kind
samples have 4～5) have been compacted by hydraulic jacks, and then the fast direct shear tests were
performed immediately according to four classes of vertical load (100kPa, 200kPa, 300kPa, 400kPa)
by direct shear apparatus to obtain the parameters cohesion c and angle of internal friction φ of soil
samples and research the shear strength of remolded unsaturated clay.

RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN c, Φ AND w, e, S

The shear strength parameters cohesion c and angle of internal friction φ of soil samples have
been obtained by the shear strength tests of remolded compacted unsaturated clay. The correlations
and curves between c, φ and moisture content w, void ratio e and sand content s were obtained by
using the least square method[15] to fit the experimental data. The moisture water, void ratio and sand
content of actual experimental soil samples that were not entirely consistent with the designs were
given in Table 5-7.

Relationships between moisture content and shear strength

parameters c, φ
Table 5 shows the cohesion c and the angle of internal friction φ obtained under different moisture
content.

Table 5: Shear strength parameters of remolded soil samples at different moisture content
Numbe Moisture content Angle of internal friction Cohesion
r w(%) φ(°) c(kPa)
1 8.7 36.70 105.60
2 11.3 34.50 88.00
3 13.7 29.00 80.30
4 14.3 21.00 78.00
5 16.5 19.00 55.10
6 18.3 14.40 36.70
7 21 10.70 19.90
 Vol. 19 [2014], Bund. Q 4419

8 22.5 4.00 16.80

9 24.6 3.10 10.70
10 25.7 1.6 6.1

*All of the above samples: void ratio e = 0.59～0.66 and the mean of void ratio ē = 0.632.
The moisture water of actual experimental soil samples were not entirely consistent with the
design water content. The moisture content difference between adjacent groups soil samples remained
at around 2% and the same group soil samples was not more than 1% and didn’t affect the test results.
The maximum water content of experimental soil samples was 25.7%. When the moisture content
was more than 25.7%, the soil sample was too soft and wasn’t suitable for compacting process.
The w-c and w-φ two curves are shown in Fig. 2 basing on the experimental data Table5.
(1) Analysis of the effects of moisture content on the cohesion c: Fig. 2 presents the cohesion
decrease with increasing moisture content. The water is attracted to the formation of hydrated film by
clay particles under less moisture content in the clay. The distance between water molecules and clay
particles increases and hydration membrane thickens with increasing moisture content, then the
attraction of particles weakens and resulting in a decrease in the cohesion. When the void ratio e is a
constant 0.632, the correlation between cohesion and moisture content is:
c = -100.9 ln(w) + 334.01 with R2 = 0.9618 (15)

Figure 2: Curves of w-c and w-φ

(2)Analysis of the effects of moisture content on the angle of internal friction φ: Fig. 2 presents
the angle of internal friction decrease with increasing moisture content. With moisture content
increasing, hydration membrane on the surface of clay particles thickens and the clay particles is
separated from each other, lubricity between clay particles enhancing and resulting in a decrease in the
angle of internal friction. When the void ratio e is a constant 0.632, the correlation between the angle
of internal friction and moisture content is:
 Vol. 19 [2014], Bund. Q 4420

φ = -35.76ln(w) + 118.19 with R2=0.959 (16)

3.2 Relationships between void ratio and shear strength parameters c, φ
The cohesion c and the angle of internal friction φ have been obtained in Table6 under different
void ratio.

Table 6: Shear strength parameters of remolded soil samples under different void ratio
Angle of internal friction Cohesion
Number Void ratio e
φ(°) c(kPa)
11 0.46 33.6 129.3
12 0.60 27.5 87.2
13 0.82 24.8 49.7
14 1.04 23.6 35.2

*All of the above samples: moisture content w = 15.25～15.74% and the mean of moisture
content is 15.52%.
The void ratio difference between the same group soil samples was not more than 0.05, meeting
the test specification. The e-c and e-φ two curves are shown in Fig. 3 basing on the experimental data
Table6.
(1) Analysis of the effects of void ratio on the cohesion c: Fig. 3 presents the cohesion decrease
rapidly with increasing void ratio. The size of the void ratio is in inverse relation to the slope of the
curve and the impact on the cohesion. When the moisture content w is a constant 15.52%, the
correlation between the cohesion and void ratio is:
c = 282.26e2 - 583.75e + 337.38, with R2 = 0.9992 (17)
The main reasons for the cohesion decreasing are as follows: When the intermolecular distance
r＞ro(ro=10-10m) and r＜10ro, intermolecular attraction decreases with increasing void ratio and r,
resulting in a decrease in the cohesion.  The upper and lower flats of clay particles are negatively
charged and the corners are positively charged. The close contact between the clay particles and the
probability of the contacts flat-to-side and flat-with-corner increases with decreasing void ratio.
Electrostatic attraction has been incurred due to opposite charges and the cohesion increases.The
cementation between soil particles enhances with void ratio reducing leading to an increase in the
cohesion increases[16].
 Vol. 19 [2014], Bund. Q 4421

Figure 3: Curves of e-c and e-φ

(2) Analysis of the effects of void ratio on the angle of internal friction φ: Fig. 3 presents the
angle of internal friction decrease with increasing void ratio. This is because when the void ratio is
smaller, more tightly packed soil particles and the friction between the particles increases gradually in
the shearing process[17]. Therefore, internal friction angle increases. On the contrary, the larger void
ratio, the smaller angle of internal friction. When the water content w is a constant 15.52%, the
correlation between the angle of internal friction and void ratio is:
φ = -11.88ln(e) + 23.079, with R2=0.9032 (18)

Relationships between sand content and shear strength

parameters c, φ
The cohesion c and the angle of internal friction φ have obtained in Table7 under different sand
content.

Table 7: Shear strength parameters of remolded soil samples with different sand content
Sand content Angle of internal friction φ(° Cohesion
Number
s(%) ) c(kPa)
15 5 28 66.6
16 10 26.9 64.3
17 15 24.4 60.4
18 20 21.3 55.8
19 25 18.1 49
20 30 15.5 41.3
21 35 14.2 29.8
22 40 12.9 24.5

*All of the above samples: moisture content w = 14.93～15.32% and the mean of moisture
content is 15.10%. Void ratio e = 0.581～0.62 and the mean of void ratio ē = 0.60.
 Vol. 19 [2014], Bund. Q 4422

The s-c and s-φ two curves are shown in Fig. 4 basing on the experimental data in Table 7.
(1) Analysis of the effects of sand content on the cohesion c: Fig. 4 presents a parabolic curve s-c
that the cohesion decrease gradually with increasing sand content when maintaining water content and
void ratio constant. The main reason is the cohesion of the sand is a constant zero. When the moisture
content w is a constant 15.10% and void ratio is a constant 0.60, the correlation between cohesion and
sand content is:
c = 0.0006s3 - 0.0667s2 + 0.6072s+ 64.75, with R2= 0.9956 (19)
(2) Analysis of the effects of sand content on the angle of internal friction φ: Fig.4 presents the
angle of internal friction decrease with increasing sand content when maintaining water content and
void ratio constant. When the moisture content w is a constant 15.10% and void ratio is a constant
0.60, the correlation between the angle of internal friction and sand content is:
φ = 0.0006s3 - 0.038s2 + 0.1838s + 28.071, with R2= 0.9984 (20)

Figure 4: Curves of s-c and s-φ

The main reasons for the angle of internal friction decreasing are as follows: with sand content
increasing, the compactness, specific surface area and culvert water capacity of the soil samples
decrease[18]. Thus free water content of the samples increases relatively and forming a layer of
hydration membrane enhancing lubricity on the surface of sand particles, then reducing the friction
between the particles in the shearing process and decreasing the angle of internal friction of the
samples. At the same time, because of the added standard sand containing mica minerals, the angle of
internal friction has a little change of decrease.
With R2＞0.9, all of the above correlative equations are reliable and meaningful.
 Vol. 19 [2014], Bund. Q 4423

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

22 sets of data have been obtained from the shear strength tests of remolded compacted
unsaturated clay just as shown in Table8. The regression equations between c, φ and moisture content
w, void ratio e and sand content s were obtained basing on analysis of 22 sets of data by multiple
linear regression method.

Table 8: The table of data organization and calculation results

Number w（%） e s (%) φ (°) c(kPa)
1 8.7 0.59 0 36.7 105.6
2 11.3 0.6 0 34.5 88
3 13.7 0.61 0 29 80.3
4 14.3 0.62 0 21 78
5 16.5 0.63 0 19 55.1
6 18.3 0.64 0 14.4 36.7
7 21 0.64 0 10.7 19.9
8 22.5 0.65 0 4 16.8
9 24.6 0.66 0 3.1 10.7
10 25.7 0.66 0 1.6 6.1
11 15.3 0.46 0 33.6 129.3
12 15.4 0.6 0 27.5 87.2
13 15.6 0.82 0 24.8 49.7
14 15.7 1.04 0 23.6 35.2
15 14.9 0.58 5 28 66.6
16 15 0.59 10 26.9 64.3
17 15.1 0.6 15 24.4 60.4
18 15.2 0.61 20 21.3 55.8
19 15.3 0.62 25 18.1 49
20 15.1 0.6 30 15.5 41.3
21 15.2 0.58 35 14.2 29.8
22 15 0.62 40 12.9 24.5

* w is moisture content, e is void ratio, s is sand content, φ is the angle of internal friction, c is the
cohesion.

Cohesion
The regression equation of the cohesion c is:
c=239.138-6.263w-114.502e-1.191s (21)
Eq. (21) obtains the cohesion of remolded compacted unsaturated clay. Significant test of the
regression equation are shown in Table 9.
Table 9 illustrates F test value (analyzing the degree of significance of a linear relationship
between the cohesion c and w, e, s.) of the linear regression is F (3，18) = 38.493 and significant test
value P(sig.)＜0.01. The results of F test are all coefficients are not all 0 under significant at 0.01
level. The conclusion has been obtained that the joint linear influence of three independent variables
w, e and s on the dependent variable c is highly significant and the regression equation is meaningful.
 Vol. 19 [2014], Bund. Q 4424

Table 9: Significant test of regression equation

Regression Statistic
R R Square Adjusted R Square Std. Error of the Estimate Observation
.930a .865 .843 12.60203 22
Analysis of Variance
Sum of Squares df Mean Square F Sig.
Regression 18339.350 3 6113.117 38.493 .000a
Residual 2858.600 18 158.811
Total 21197.950 21
a. Predictive variable: (Constant), Sand Content s, Moisture Content w, Void Ratio e.
b. Dependent Variable: Cohesion c.
Unstandardized Coefficients Confidence Interval of B Correlation
t
B Std. Error Lower 99.0% Upper 99.0% Zero-order Partial
Constant 239.138 19.888 12.024 181.890 296.385
w -6.263 .713 -8.785 -8.316 -4.211 -.741 -.760
e -114.502 26.059 -4.394 -189.51 -39.493 -.408 -.380
s -1.191 .217 -5.486 -1.816 -.566 -.257 -.475

Angle of internal friction

The regression equation for the angle of internal friction φ is:：
φ=66.082-2.354w-7.831e-0.295s (22)
Eq. (22) obtains the angle of internal friction of remolded compacted unsaturated clay. Significant
test of the regression equation are shown in Table10.

Table 10: Significant test of regression equation

Regression Statistic
R R Square Adjusted R Square Std. Error of the Estimate Observation
.948a .899 .882 3.41953 22
Analysis of Variance
Sum of Squares df Mean Square F Sig.
Regression 1876.415 3 625.472 53.490 .000a
Residual 210.477 18 11.693
Total 2086.893 21
a. Predictive variable: (Constant), Sand Content s, Moisture Content w, Void Ratio e.
b. Dependent Variable: Angle of internal friction φ.
Unstandardized Coefficients Confidence Interval of B Correlation
t
B Std. Error Lower 99.0% Upper 99.0% Zero-order Partial
Constant 66.082 5.397 12.245 50.548 81.616
w -2.354 .193 -12.169 -2.911 -1.797 -.871 -.911
e -7.831 7.071 -1.107 -28.184 12.523 -.146 -.083
s -.295 .059 -5.003 -.464 -.125 -.185 -.375

Table 10 illustrates F test value (analyzing the degree of significance of linear relationship
between the angle of internal friction φ and w, e, s.) of the linear regression is F (3, 18) = 53.490 and
significant test value P (sig.) ＜0.01. The results of F test are all coefficients are not all 0 under
significant at 0.01 level. The conclusion has been obtained that the joint linear influence of three
 Vol. 19 [2014], Bund. Q 4425

independent variables w, e and s on the dependent variable φ is highly significant and the regression
equation is meaningful.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

(1) The shear strength parameters (c, φ) of remolded compacted unsaturated clay decrease with
increasing moisture content w. The correlative equations between c, φ and w are:
c= -100.9ln (w) + 334.01, φ = -35.76ln (w) + 118.19.
(2) Void ratio has a stronger impact on the cohesion than the angle of internal friction and the
smaller void ratio, the impact is greater. With increasing void ratio, the cohesion and angle of internal
friction are reduced. The correlative equations between c, φ and e are:
c = 282.26e2 - 583.75e + 337.38, φ = -11.88ln(e) + 23.079.
(3) The cohesion has a greater decrease than the angle of internal friction with increasing sand
content. When the moisture content w=15.1% and void ratio e=0.6, the correlative equations between
c, φ and s are:
c= 0.0006s3 - 0.0667s2 + 0.6072s + 64.75, φ= 0.0006s3 - 0.038s2 + 0.1838s + 28.071
Eqs. illustrate that the cohesion and the angle of internal friction don’t increase with the sand
content increasing in a certain range when the void ratio and water content are constant.
(4) The regression equation of the cohesion is:
c = 239.138-6.263w-114.502e-1.191s
The regression equation of the angle of internal friction is:
φ = 66.082-2.354w-7.831e-0.295s
(5) This paper studies the shear strength of remolded compacted unsaturated clay obtained from
the construction site in Changsha, then proposes curve fitting univariate equations and multivariate
regression equations, the equations needs further promote the use of research.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This research was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51208514),
Graduate Independent Explorative Innovation Foundation of Central South University (NO.
2014zzts247) and Cai Tian Xuan Zhu Innovation and Entrepreneurship Foundation of Central South
University (NO. 14CT03). The authors wish to acknowledge these supports.

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