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Collapse behaviour of a lateritic soil

a a a
B. R. Phanikumar , Rishi Raghav & K. Bhargav
a
Civil Engineering, VIT University, Vellore, India
Published online: 22 May 2015.

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To cite this article: B. R. Phanikumar, Rishi Raghav & K. Bhargav (2015): Collapse behaviour of a lateritic soil, Geomechanics
and Geoengineering: An International Journal, DOI: 10.1080/17486025.2015.1042925

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 Geomechanics and Geoengineering: An International Journal, 2015
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17486025.2015.1042925

Collapse behaviour of a lateritic soil

B. R. Phanikumar*, Rishi Raghav and K. Bhargav

Civil Engineering, VIT University, Vellore, India

(Received 5 February 2014; accepted 10 April 2015)

Collapsible soils are problematic by nature. They undergo collapse or sudden settlement or subsidence under a given stress when their water content
is increased. Collapse is characterised by collapse potential expressed as ΔH/H x 100, where ΔH is collapse compression. The amount of stress
applied and the water content at the time of collapse govern the amount of collapse. In other words, collapse potential depends upon the amount of
stress and the water content. Loess and other wind-blown silts are examples of collapsible soils. This paper presents a parametric study on the
collapse behaviour of a lateritic soil. Remoulded specimens of a lateritic soil passing through a 425 µm sieve were compacted in 1-D consolidometer
or oedometer at a density of 13 kN/m3 for studying collapse under varied initial moisture contents and initial surcharge pressures. Collapse
compression of the samples was induced by saturating the specimens with water contents corresponding to 100% degree of saturation. After collapse
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occurred, the 1-D consolidation tests were continued up to an applied stress of 160 kPa. Collapse behaviour was studied for the applied initial
pressures (σi) of 10, 20 and 40 kPa and for the initial water contents (wi) of 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%. Collapse compression and collapse potential
decreased with increasing wi for all σi.

Keywords: collapsible soils; collapse compression; collapse potential; initial water content; initial surcharge

Introduction over a range of degrees of saturation (El-Ehwany and Houston

Soils which respond to changes in moisture content lead to
deleterious consequences (Chen 1988) such as swell or col-
lapse. Response of compacted soils to wetting depends on the
type of soil, compactive effort, compaction water content and
stress level at the time of flooding (Houston and Houston
1997, Houston et al. 2001). Collapsible soils are identified
by wetting soil specimens compacted at different water con-
tents and dry unit weights over a range of anticipated in-situ
stress levels. Some of the prerequisite conditions leading to
collapse are an unsaturated fabric which is open and partially
unstable, a high void ratio, a low dry density, a high porosity,
increase in water content of the soil reducing soil suction and
destroying bonding agents, and a relatively high level of total
vertical stress (Barden et al. 1973, Lawton et al. 1992).
In-situ compaction control for minimising collapse can be
understood by studying the placement conditions leading to
collapse of a soil in the laboratory (Noorany and Stanley 1994,
Houston et al. 2001). Laboratory collapse test data can be used for
the estimation of in-situ collapse of a soil deposit (Dudley 1970,
Houston et al. 1988, El-Ehwany and Houston 1990). However,
in-situ collapse cannot be thoroughly predicted from laboratory
collapse tests as saturation of the entire soil layer in-situ is not
possible. Variation in collapse potential with initial degree of
saturation can be studied in the laboratory by conducting partial
collapse tests using conventional one-dimensional oedometer
1990). These results are useful for assessing mitigation alterna-
tives such as prewetting prior to construction and controlled
wetting after construction (Houston et al. 2001). This paper
presents a laboratory study on a remoulded lateritic soil. The
main objectives of this study are (i) to investigate the influence
of initial water content and flooding stress (vertical stress at
flooding) on collapse compression and collapse potential at a
constant dry unit weight and thus (ii) to study the volume change
behaviour of the lateritic soil under controlled wetting and com-
plete flooding.
Methodology
Collapse compression of a field soil subjected to structural
loading depends on the initial water content (wi) of the soil
layer and the initial surcharge (σi) on the soil layer which is the
initial structural load. If the field soil layer (thickness H) has an
as-compacted void ratio or initial void ratio of eo at an initial
water content of wi, initial surcharge (σi) on the soil layer is
responsible for the initial compression (ΔHi) in the soil. The
initial surcharge (σi) on the soil layer is possible due to con-
struction of footings and superstructure. Collapse compression
(ΔHc) occurs in the soil if the water content increases under the
existing stress (σi). Further compression in the soil layer is
possible through further increase of stresses (σ, probably

*Corresponding author. Email: phanikumar_29@yahoo.com

© 2015 Taylor & Francis

 2 B.R. Phanikumar et al.
caused due to construction of more floors) that can be studied
through performance of 1-D consolidation tests at increased
load increments. Hence, in order to study the influence of the
above factors on collapse compression, a series of compressi-
bility tests was conducted in which the above steps involved
for causing collapse in the field soil layer were simulated as
explained below:
(1) Initial surcharge pressure (σi) on the laboratory soil speci-
men corresponding to the superstructure load on the field
soil layer.
(2) As-compacted water content or initial water content (wi)
corresponding to the in-situ water content before collapse.
(3) Addition of water to the oedometer sample to cause 100%
degree of saturation (Sr) and thereby to induce collapse
corresponding to infiltration of water into the soil layer due
to rains or some other factors causing collapse compres-
sion (ΔHc) in the field soil layer.
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(4) Application of vertical compressive loads on the speci-
mens (σ) to continue 1-D consolidation tests corresponding
to increased structural loading on the field soil layer.
Experimental investigation
Test soil
The soil used for the conduct of experiments on collapse
compression was a lateritic soil, collected from a depth of
1 m from ground level at Vellore, TN, India. The soil was
reddish in colour and had a natural moisture content of 5%.
The specific gravity of the soil solids (Gs) was found to be
2.30. The liquid limit (LL) and plastic limit (PL) of the soil
could not be determined. Hence, the soil can be described as
non-plastic (NP) silty sand with symbol SM according to the
USCS classification. The fraction passing through a 75 µ sieve
was 39.5%.
Test variables
The initial surcharge pressure (σi) was varied as 10 kPa, 20 kPa
and 40 kPa; and the initial water content (wi) was varied as
5%, 10%, 15% and 20%.
Sample preparation and test procedure
The weight of the soil to be compacted in a one-dimensional
consolidometer ring (diameter = 60 mm and height = 20 mm)
corresponding to the test γd of 13 kN/m3 was determined. The
weight of the soil to be compacted in the ring was divided into
four equal portions, each portion having to be compacted in the
consolidometer ring to a thickness of 5 mm to ensure a uni-
form density. The consolidometer ring with the compacted soil
sample was fitted with a filter paper and a porous stone above
and below the sample. The ring with the soil was placed in the
consolidometer, which was mounted carefully on the consoli-
dation equipment and the loading frame arranged properly. The
dial gauge with its spindle resting on the top of the soil sample
was set to 0–0.
The amounts of water (cc) corresponding to the initial water
contents (wi) of 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% by weight of the
oven-dry soil were calculated and added to the oedometer
samples. These amounts of water (cc) were injected into the
specimens carefully with a syringe. Then the samples were
allowed to equilibrate for 15 minutes. After equilibration, the
required initial surcharge (σi) was applied on the specimen
under which the sample was allowed to undergo initial com-
pression (ΔHi) for 30 minutes. The rates of initial compression
of the samples were studied by taking the dial readings for
every elapsed minute.
After initial compression (ΔHi) was allowed for 30 minutes,
collapse compression (ΔHc) was allowed to occur by inundat-
ing the samples with the amounts of water (cc) which would
correspond to 100% degree of saturation. These amounts of
water (cc) were calculated based on the amounts of initial
compression (ΔHi) of the respective samples and their void
ratios (ef) at the end of initial compression. The initial void
ratio (ei) of the samples was 0.77. If Δe is the change in void
ratio corresponding to the initial compression (ΔHi), then the
final void ratio (ef) at the end of initial compression is,
ef ¼ ðei  ΔeÞ (1)
where Δe = ΔH/H (1+ei)
Hence, the amount of water (cc) required to cause full
saturation (Sr = 100%) in a given sample can be obtained
from the expression
wsat G ¼ ef Sr (2)
Therefore;wsat ¼ ðef  1Þ=Gs (3)
Thus, the amounts of water (cc) required for complete satura-
tion of different samples were calculated from the Equation
(3). The difference between these amounts of water and those
already added to the samples corresponding to the initial water
contents (wi) are the dosages of water needed to be added now
to cause collapse compression in the samples under the applied
initial surcharge (σi). They were also allowed into the samples
by carefully injecting with a syringe. The collapse compression
of the samples (ΔHc) was also allowed for 15 minutes. After
collapse compression (ΔHc), further load increments were
applied on the specimens, and the 1-D consolidation tests
were performed. The load increment ratio was maintained at
1.0 throughout the test programme. The maximum amount of
pressure applied on the specimens was 160 kPa.
 Geomechanics and Geoengineering: An International Journal 3

Quantities determined 2
1.8
The following quantities were studied:
1.6

initial compression (mm)

σi = 10 kPa
1.4
(1) Rate and amount of initial compression (ΔHi) under the σi = 20 kPa
applied initial surcharge (σi). 1.2 σi = 40 kPa
(2) Collapse compression (ΔHc) of the samples by inundating 1
them with dosages of water (cc) that corresponded to 0.8
100% degree of saturation of the samples. 0.6
(3) Collapse potential (CP) as the ratio of collapse compres- 0.4
sion (ΔHc) to the thickness of the sample at which col- 0.2
lapse occurred (H – ΔHi) expressed as a percentage. 0
Thus, collapse potential can be determined from the 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
expression time (min)

CP ¼½ΔHc =ðH  ΔHi Þ  100: (4) Figure 2. Rate of initial compression (wi = 10%).

(4) e-σ and e-log σ curves.

higher wi. Similarly, if σi increases for a given wi, the rate of
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Discussion of test results
Effect of initial water content (wi) and initial surcharge (σi)
on rate and amount of initial compression
Figure 1 shows the rate of initial compression (ΔHi, mm) of the
lateritic soil for varying initial water contents (wi = 5%, 10%,
15% and 20%). The data shown pertain to an initial surcharge
(σi) of 10 kPa. Similar data were obtained for the other initial
surcharges (σi) of 20 kPa and 40 kPa. They are not being
presented for want of space. The data show that ΔHi (mm) of
all the samples initially increased with time. However, the rate
of increase in ΔHi was low for low initial water contents (wi),
but increased as the initial water content (wi) increased. This
was found to be true for all the applied initial surcharges (σi).
As wi increases, the initial degree of saturation increases and
hence, the sample becomes more susceptible to volume reduc-
tion under the applied σi, resulting in higher compression at
ΔHi increases. Figure 2 shows the rate of ΔHi for varying σi.
The data shown in the figure pertain to wi of 10%. Similar data
were obtained at the other values of wi also. But they are not
being presented. The rate of ΔHi of the samples increased with
increasing σi for all wi. At higher σi, the samples would be
susceptible to higher compression irrespective of wi. Hence, it
was found that the final value of ΔHi observed at the end of
30th minute increased with increase in wi (for a given σi), and
with the increase in σi for a given wi.
Figure 3 shows the variation of ΔHi (mm) with wi. The data
shown pertain to different σi used in the test programme. ΔHi
of the specimens increased significantly with increasing wi.
This was found to be true for all σi. However, the increase in
ΔHi of the specimens was more predominant at higher σi for a
given wi. For example, for σi = 10 kPa ΔHi increased from
0.12 mm to 0.90 mm when wi increased from 5% to 20%.
Similarly, for σi = 20 kPa and σi = 40 kPa, ΔHi increased from
0.22 mm to 1.41 mm and from 0.58 mm to 2.10 mm respec-
tively when wi increased from 5% to 20%. This shows the
increased susceptibility of the sample to volume reduction at

1 2.5
0.9 σi = 10 kPa

0.8 2 σi = 20 kPa
initial compression (mm)
initial compression (mm)

σi = 40 kPa
0.7
0.6 1.5
w = 5%
0.5 w = 10%
w = 15% 1
0.4
w = 20%
0.3
0.2 0.5

0.1
0 0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 0 5 10 15 20 25
time (min) initial water content (wi%)

Figure 1. Rate of initial compression (σi = 10 kPa). Figure 3. Variation of initial compression with initial water content.
 4 B.R. Phanikumar et al.

increased water contents. Further, at a given wi, ΔHi increased 9

with increasing σi (see Figure 3). 8 σi = 10 kPa
σi = 20 kPa
7 σi = 40 kPa

collapse potential (%)

6
Collapse compression (ΔHc) and collapse potential (CP) 5

Collapsibility is the susceptibility of soils to undergo sudden 4

compression or subsidence at increased water contents under a 3
given surcharge. Collapse or collapse compression (ΔHc),
2
therefore, is the sudden settlement occurring in a soil specimen
at increased water content or increased surcharge. Collapse 1
compression (ΔHc, mm) was monitored in the oedometer spe- 0
cimens by varying water contents (wi) and surcharges (σi). 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
Accordingly, collapse potential (CP) was also determined initial compression (mm)
using the Equation (4). Figure 5. Variation of collapse potential with initial compression.
Figure 4 shows the variation of collapse potential
[CP = { ΔHc/(H – ΔHi)} × 100] with initial water content
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(wi%) for varying initial surcharges (σi). Collapse potential Table 1. Test data.
(CP, %) decreased significantly with increase in wi. This
Initial Collapse
was found to be true for all σi. With increase in wi, the compression, compression, Collapse potential,
specimen undergoes higher initial compression (ΔHi), and qi (kPa) wi (%) ΔHi (mm) ΔHc (mm) CP (%)
hence, the resulting thickness and the void ratio of the
10 5 0.12 1.01 5.10
specimen would be low. Hence, further reduction in the 10 0.26 0.76 3.86
thickness or volume of the specimen at increased water 15 0.656 0.44 2.30
contents leading to collapse would also be low. Collapse 20 0.90 0.13 0.67
20 5 0.22 1.36 6.86
potential (CP) decreased from 5.07% to 0.67% when the 10 0.82 0.84 4.40
initial water content (wi) increased from 5% to 20% at the 15 0.86 0.63 3.28
initial surcharge (σi) of 10 kPa. Similarly, CP decreased 20 1.41 0.13 0.68
40 5 0.58 1.65 8.50
from 8.5% to 0.24% when wi increased from 5% to 20% at 10 1.72 0.90 4.90
σi = 40 kPa. At low wi, ΔHi undergone by the specimens 15 1.92 0.70 3.87
would be low at low σi, and hence, the specimens would 20 2.10 0.04 0.24
have a potential for higher collapse (ΔHc). And at higher
wi, as the specimens would have undergone large ΔHi,
increase in ΔHc would be insignificant even at higher σi. Thus, collapse potential (CP) depends upon the amount of
It was observed (see Figure 4) that, at low wi, CP increased initial compression (ΔHi) undergone by the specimen. At lower
with increasing σi, and that at higher wi, there was no values of ΔHi, the soil would have higher potential to undergo
significant increase in CP even at increased σi. collapse and vice versa. Accordingly, CP (%) also varies with
ΔHi. Figure 5 shows the variation of CP with ΔHi. CP
decreased significantly with increasing ΔHi. This was found
9 to be true for all σi. For σi = 10 kPa, CP decreased from 5.07%
8
to 2.68% when ΔHi increased from 0.12 mm to 0.90 mm.
σi = 10 kPa
Similarly, for σi = 40 kPa, CP decreased from 8.5% to 0.24%
7
σi = 20 kPa when ΔHi increased from 0.58 mm to 2.06 mm. Table 1 shows
collapse potential (%)

6 σi = 40 kPa the entire test data.

5
4
3 e-log σ curves
2
Compressibility behaviour of soils is studied in terms of e-log
1 σ relation. Figure 6 shows the e-log σ curves of the specimens.
0 The e-log σ curves indicate the phases of initial compression
0 5 10 15 20 25 and collapse compression at σi = 20 kPa, and virgin compres-
initial water content, wi (%) sion at higher σ. Similar data were obtained for other σi also,
but they are not being presented. The e-log σ curves of the
Figure 4. Variation of collapse potential with initial water content. figure depict the initial compression (ΔHi) undergone by the
 Geomechanics and Geoengineering: An International Journal 5

0.8 underwent increased initial compression (ΔHi) resulting in

0.75 w = 5%
reduced void ratio under the increasing σi at wi = 10%.
0.7 w = 10% After initial compression, the samples underwent collapse
w = 15% respectively under σi = 10 kPa, 20 kPa and 40 kPa. Collapse
0.65
compression (ΔHc) of the samples can be observed from the
void ratio, e

w = 20%
0.6
three different vertical lines seen in the e-log σ curves at
0.55 σi = 10 kPa, 20 kPa and 40 kPa (see Figure 7). After
0.5 collapse compression occurred, the samples were further
0.45 compressed at increased vertical compressive stresses result-
0.4
ing in virgin compression. As can be seen from the figure,
the virgin compression curves departed from one another at
0.35
1 10 100 1000
compressive stresses higher than σi = 10 kPa, 20 kPa and
log σ 40 kPa for the three different samples.

Figure 6. e-log σ curves (σi = 20 kPa).

Conclusions
specimens under σi = 20 kPa at wi = 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%.
The curves indicate the increase in initial compression or
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decrease in void ratio in the samples at higher wi. From the
as-compacted void ratio of 0.77, the samples got compressed
to lower void ratios at the end of initial compression under
σi = 20 kPa. The void ratio of the samples after the initial
compression decreased with increasing wi (see Figure 6). After
the initial compression, the samples were allowed to undergo
collapse by increasing the water content at σi = 20 kPa.
Collapse compression of the samples can be observed from
the vertical lines in the e-log σ curves at σi = 20 kPa. After the
collapse compression, the samples were further compressed at
increased vertical compressive stresses (σ), resulting in virgin
compression. The maximum applied stress (σ) was 160 kPa in
all the cases. It can be seen that, though the samples were all
allowed to undergo collapse compression under the same
σi = 10 kPa, the virgin compression curves of the samples
departed from one another at compressive stresses (σ) higher
than σi = 10 kPa (see Figure 6).
Figure 7 shows the e-log σ curves of samples of
wi = 10% subjected to different σi of 10 kPa, 20 kPa and
40 kPa. The e-log σ curves indicate that the samples
The following are the chief conclusions that can be drawn from
the experimental study:
(1) The rate of initial compression (ΔHi) of the silt increased
with increasing initial water content (wi). This was true for
all the applied initial surcharges (σi). ΔHi increased with
increasing wi and σi, and the increase was significant at
higher values of wi and σi.
(2) Collapse compression (ΔHc) decreased significantly with
increasing wi and ΔHi, a fact which was true for all σi.
At σi = 10 kPa, ΔHc decreased by 680% when wi
increased from 5% to 20%. And at higher values of
wi, there was not any significant increase in ΔHc even
at higher values of σi.
(3) Collapse potential (CP) also decreased significantly with
increasing wi and ΔHi. This was found to be true for all
σi. At σi = 10 kPa, CP decreased by 650% when wi
increased from 5% to 20%. And at higher values of wi,
there was not any significant increase in CP even at
higher values of σi.

0.8 Disclosure statement

0.75 σi = 10 kPa
σi = 20 kPa No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
0.7 σi = 40 kPa
0.65
void ratio, e

0.6 References
0.55 Barden, L., McGown, A.O., and Collins, K., 1973. The collapse
0.5 mechanism in partly saturated soil. Engineering Geology, 7,
49–60. doi:10.1016/0013-7952(73)90006-9
0.45 Chen, F.H., 1988. Foundations on expansive soils. Amsterdam, The
0.4 Netherlands: Elsevier Science.
1 10 100 1000 Dudley, J.H., 1970. Review of collapsing soils. Journal of Soil
log σ Mechanics and Foundation Division, ASCE, 96 (SM3), 925–947.
El-Ehwany, M. and Houston, S., 1990. Settlement and moisture
Figure 7. e- log σ curves (wi = 10%). movement in collapsible soils. Journal of Geotechnical
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