Premium
A Pneumatic Fracture Method for Measuring the Tensile Strength of Unsaturated Soils
Author(s) -
Snyder V. A.,
Miller R. D.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1985.03615995004900060008x
Subject(s) - ultimate tensile strength , tension (geology) , materials science , composite material , hydrostatic pressure , fracture (geology) , soil water , stress (linguistics) , bending , hydrostatic equilibrium , effective stress , tensile testing , geotechnical engineering , environmental science , mechanics , geology , soil science , linguistics , philosophy , physics , quantum mechanics
A new technique for measuring tensile strength of unsaturated soils is discussed, wherein applied stress, pore‐air pressure, and pore‐water pressure can be simultaneously and independently controlled. The method essentially involves enclosing the test sample in an adhesive membrane which is impervious to air, and then decreasing the external applied stress relative to the pore‐air pressure until the sample ruptures or literally explodes due to the pressure difference across the adhesive membrane. Applied stress is hydrostatic, eliminating the need for knowing sample dimensions and ensuring the absence of unwanted bending moments which are a common source of error in most direct tension procedures. The system is designed in such a way that sample equilibration and tensile strength measurements are carried out in the same apparatus, avoiding dangers associated with the transfer of very weak samples from one apparatus to another. The method is shown to produce comparable results to those obtained by a direct tension procedure.