Vol. 13, Bund.

G 2

magnitude of soil collapsibility usually depends on initial porosity. The basic characteristics
of collapsible soils are categorized as:
High porosity (more than 40%)
Low saturation(less than 60%)
High silt content (more than 30% and sometimes 90%)
Rapid softening in the water.

To evaluate soil collapsibility, various criteria has been defined by many researchers.
Reviewing the existing literature of collapsible soil, the works of Abelev [1] Clevenger [2],
Denisov [3], Feda [4] , Lin and Wang [5] could be mentioned.

In this study regarding site investigation, soil sampling and many laboratory tests, the
possibility of collapse phenomena was investigated and confirmed for Semnan desert through
above mentioned criteria. As a case study for Semnan station in Tehran-Mashhad railway
track, the existence of deep natural trenches perpendicular to railway embankment was
recognized from collapse potential assessment.

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS OF
COLLAPSIBLE SOILS
The volume reduction is special characteristic of some kind of soils during getting saturation.
In the nature this phenomenon is observed in semi saturated as well as dry soils.

Usually the silty or clayey soils, called collapsible soils, settle in dry places like mountain
feet. The settlement process for this type of soils takes place in semi stable conditions and
convert to instability after saturation. The stability of soil is related to capillary tension in
semi saturated soils and seems to be vanished after soil voids saturation.

In case of dry soils, the cohesion of soil particles is due to a film of clay mineral absorbed
into the soil. Clay suspension during saturation phase, causes general soil collapse. In large
scale the collapsible soil saturation makes many problems related to pipeline, road and other
infrastructure settlement. Soil collapsibility investigation could be approached from different
perspectives using macro or micro scales. In micromechanical scale the soil particle and water
interaction will be investigated in detail. On the other hand, the soil behavior changes due to
water content increase will be studied. Moreover, many collapsibility criteria will be
discussed and verified for present case study.

Abelev criteria (1948)

Abelev (1948) was the first researcher who proposed the following criterion for
evaluation of soil collapsibility potential due to variation of soil void ratio before and after
saturation. The Abelev collapsibility coefficient equation could be written as follow:
∆e
δs= % (1)
eL + 1
∆e = Void ratio reduction during soil saturation
e L = Void ratio before soil saturation

Regarding the above criterion if δ s is greater than 2 percent then the soil will be
susceptible to collapse.
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Feda criteria (1960)

Feda (1960) proposed an equation for assessment of soil collapsibility potential as
follow:
m
− PL
s
ic = r %
PI (2)

Wherein m and S r are the natural water content and soil saturation ratio respectively.
The PL and PI are plastic limit and plasticity index of soil.

Based on the above criterion, if the collapsibility index ic is lesser than 1, it mean that
soil is susceptible to collapse. In addition, Feda define critical soil porosity as a porosity of
collapsible soil and describes the minimum critical soil porosity equal to 40%; and the
essential requirement of soil collapsibility is sufficient applied load.

Denisov criteria (1964)

e
Based on Denisov (1964) proposed criterion, if  1 then the soil is collapse
e LL
susceptible. Where e and eLL are the soil void ratio in natural and liquid limit water
contents respectively.

Clevenger criteria (1985)

Proposed criterion of Clevenger(1985) for collapsibility evaluation is based on the soil
dry density. He declares if the soil dry density is lesser than 1.28 g/cm3 then the soil will
collapse after minor water content change. On the other hand, if the soil density is more than
1.44 g/cm3 then the lesser collapse settlement could be expected. For medium range of soil
density, the medium collapse settlement could be evaluated.

Lin and Wang criteria(1988)

According to Lin and Wang (1988) criterion the collapsibility index of soil in self weight
condition is defined as follow:
hZ − hZS
icz = (3)
h1

Where hZ and hZS are the soil sample thicknesses in odometer test regarding overburden
pressure in natural and saturation conditions respectively and h1 is initial soil sample
thickness. The soil condition and tendency to be collapsed are summarized in the Table1 .
 Vol. 13, Bund. G 6

Table 2: Laboratory and in situ test results at the Semnan station jobsite

Soil type ML
Liquid limit % 32
Plasticity index 17
pH 8
Specific gravity 2.56
Natural water content% 5-6
Dry density (g/cm3) 13.8
Initial void ratio 0.54
Void ratio after saturation 0.45
NSPT 14

SOIL COLLAPSIBILITY EVALUATION

Regarding previously defined criteria for evaluation of soil collapsibility potential, in this
section the collapsibility tendency was quantified.

Based on preliminary extracted parameters from site investigation in conjunction with in-
site and laboratory tests, the basic engineering judgments concerning soil collapsibility have
been summarized in Table 3.

Table 3: The basic engineering judgment for jobsite soil collapsibility

Collapsibility
Proposed
Collapsibility Coefficient Coefficient
Criterion
Rang
0.54 − 0.45
Abelev (1948) δS = *100 = 6.2% 6.2 > 2
0.45 + 1
m 5
Feda (1960) iC = (( ) − PL) / PI = ( ) − 15) / 17 = 0.396 0.396 < 1
Sr 0.23
e 0.54
Denisov (1964) = = 1.2 1.2  1
e LL 0.45
Clevenger (1985) γ d = 1.38 g / cm 3 1.28 < 1.38 < 1.44
Lin and Wang hz − hzs 1.8 − 1.66
icz = = * 100 = 7.36% 5 < 7.36 < 10
criteria(1988) h1 1.9

Regarding the summary of calculation results for soil collapsibility potential in Table 3,
the collapse intensity evaluation regarding previously defined ranges in Table 1, could be
concluded estimated the following table.

Table 4: Collapse intendancy results regarding to defined criteria

Lin and
Criterion Abelev (1948) Feda (1960) Denisov (1964) Clevenger (1985)
Wang (1988)
Collapse High No Medium Medium High
Intensity Collapsibility Collapsibility Collapsibility Collapsibility Collapsibility