Pecapedra Et Al. - 2018 - Comparative Analysis of Water Retention Curves of Residual Soils of Gneiss, Granite and Diabase, Compacted Und

PanAm Unsaturated Soils 2017 GSP 303 379
Comparative Analysis of Water Retention Curves of Residual Soils of Gneiss,

Granite and Diabase, Compacted under Optimum Moisture Conditions
Luana L. Pecapedra1; Orlando M. de Oliveira, Ph.D.2; Rafael A. dos R. Higashi, Ph.D.3;

Downloaded from ascelibrary.org by USP - Universidade de Sao Paulo on 08/22/18. Copyright ASCE. For personal use only; all rights reserved.
and Fernando A. M. Marinho, Ph.D.4
1
Dept. of Civil Engineering, Federal Univ. of Santa Catarina, Brazil. E-mail:
luanalenzipecapedra@hotmail.com
2
oliveiraorlando@hotmail.com
3
rrhigashi@gmail.com
4
Univ. of São Paulo, Av. Professor Almeida Prado 83, 05508-970, São Paulo, Brazil. E-mail:
fmarinho@usp.br
Abstract
Three Brazilian tropical soils are studied: residual soil of diabase, granite, and gneiss. The water
retention curves of these soils were determined using compacted specimens under the optimum
moisture conditions of their respective compaction curves. For the residual soil of gneiss, water
retention curve was obtained with the use of suction plate, pressure plate, and filter paper.
Granite and diabase residual soils have the water retention curves determined using filter paper
technique following the drying path after initial saturation of the specimen. Characterization
tests, determination of the grain size distribution curve, and resistance parameters were made to
complement the experimental studies. The higher compaction density of the granite residual soil,
associated with its higher clay fraction, is reflected in a higher air entry value. For water moisture
contents of less than 25%, a stabilization of volumetric variations of the tested specimens during
the drying procedure is observed in order to determine the water retention curve.
INTRODUCTION
Relationship between suction and water moisture content is fundamental to the study of
the unsaturated soil behavior. Excessive costs associated with direct measurement of unsaturated
soil property functions have encouraged studies involving the soil-water characteristic curve
(SWCC). The SWCC, graphically, represents the relationship between the water retention curve
energy and its corresponding water content, that is dependent of the intrinsic characteristics of
each soil, such as texture, structure, mineralogy, and organic matter (Beutler et al., 2002).
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PanAm Unsaturated Soils 2017

The use of the filter paper method, standardized by D5298-16 (ASTM, 2016), to
determine the soil water characteristic curve is a widely publicized method because of its ease
and low cost. Several studies present its uses for the determination of the water retention curve in
soils: Marinho (1995), Soto (2004), Marinho and Oliveira (2006), Pecapedra (2016), and others.
Equipments such as pressure plates and suction plates allow measuring the initial range of the
retention curve, with a range of 0 to 100 kPa and 0 to 1500 kPa, respectively, e.g., Oliveira
(2004). There are several empirical equations proposed in the literature to represent the SWCC.
However, Fredlund and Xing (1994) provides an analytical basis for mathematically defining the
entire SWCC. This equation is based in the following hypotheses: the retention curve depends on
the pore distribution and the pores have circular sections connected by cylindrical ducts
randomly arranged, forming spherical menicus. Fitting parameters, according to Fredlund and
Xing (1994), must be determined using a nonlinear regression procedure.
The SWCC directly relates to the shear strength, volume change, and fluid flow
characteristics of unsaturated soils. Uncertainty in the SWCC relationship leads to variability in
predicting unsaturated soil behavior. Volume change as soil suction is decreased has an effect on
the determination of suitable unsaturated soil property functions (e.g., Fredlund and Houston,
2013). Therefore, understanding the relationship between SWCC and soil properties is important.
Thus, in this paper, the water retention curve of tropical soils in Brazil is studied.
Residual soils of diabase granite and gneiss under optimum moisture conditions are studied. The
water retention curve of the soils, obtained using the filter paper technique, is analyzed regarding
their characteristics, and volumetric variations of the tested specimens during the drying
procedure.
SOIL CHARACTERISTICS AND STRENGTH PARAMETER
This article presents a study of residual soils of gneiss, granite, and diabase. The residual
soils of granite and diabase studied are in Florianópolis, state of Santa Catarina, and come from a
diabase dike embedded in the granite. Gneiss residual soil is from an experimental site of the
University of São Paulo, located in São Paulo, state of São Paulo. The studied soils are passed in
the # 10 sieve (i.e., larger particle diameter equal to 2.00 mm). Table 1 presents the soil
characterization and Figure 1, the grain-size distribution.
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Table 1. Soil characterization.

Soil Characteristics Diabase Granite Gneiss
Specific mass of solids [kN/m3] 28.70 27.10 27.10
Plasticity index [%] 20 31 13
Liquidity limit [%] 59 68 47
Plasticity limit [%] 39 37 34
Coarse sand [%] 5.6 21.3 -
Medium sand [%] 15.8 10.4 6.0

Fine sand [%] 23.1 9.0 28.0
Silt [%] 34.8 13.6 46.0
Clay [%] 20.6 45.8 20.0
100%
Gneiss
90% Diabase
80% Granite
70%
Passing percentage (%)
60%
50%
40%
30%
Medium sand
Coarse sand
20%
Fine sand
Gravel
10%
Clay
Silt
0%
0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10 100
Grain dimension ( mm )
Figure 1. Grain-size distribution.
The grain-size distribution shows that the amount of sandy soil (i.e., coarse sand +
medium sand + fine sand) and the amount of fine soil (i.e., silt + clay) in the residual soil of
granite and diabase are similar (sandy soil: granite, 59.4% and diabase, 55.4%; fine soil: granite,
40.7% and diabase, 44.5%). Granite residual soil presents a larger amount of coarse sand and
clay in relation to the others studied soils. These soils, passed in the # 10 sieve, are compacted
under optimum moisture conditions of the compaction curve, determined with a normal Proctor
energy. Table 2 presents the soil molding condition data, also shown in Figure 2, which
illustrates the compaction curves.
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Table 2. Soil molding condition.

Soil Optimum moisture content [%] Specific dry density [kN/m3]
Diabase 28.5 14.90
Granite 22.5 16.70
Gneiss 25.3 15.30
18,0
Diabase
Specific dry density (kN/m3)
17,0 Granite
Gneiss
16,0
15,0
14,0
13,0
12,0
15 20 25 30 35 40 45
Water moisture content (%)
Figure 2. Compaction curves.
Three aspects can be observed about the compaction curve: slope of dry and moist sides,
optimum moisture content and maximum dry density. Silt soils lead to low values of densities,
high optimum moisture content, and very well curved curves, as observed in the residual soil of
gneiss and diabase. On the other hand, clayey soils present higher moisture content and
maximum dry density unlike the silty soils. The steep slope of dry and moist side of the
compaction curve indicates a lateritic behavior, as observed in the granite residual soil.
The highest maximum dry density obtained in granite compaction curve results from its
granulometric curve being well graded, allowing the formation of a structure with less voids.
Probably the largest voids present between the grains of coarse sand are filled by a finer fraction
of the soil. On the other hand, the more uniform granulometric curve of the diabase and gneiss
residual soils does not allow the intermixing of particles as the one presented by the granite
residual soil, resulting in a lower maximum specific dry weight.
Considering the soils plasticity on the Casagrande plasticity chart (Figure 3), all studied
soils presents silty behavior. Granite residual soil has high plasticity while the residual soils of
diabase and gneiss have low plasticity. The residual soil of gneiss is classified as low
compressibility (ML) silt and the residual soils of granite and diabase are classified as high
compressibility (MH) silty soils.
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70
Diabase
60
Granite
50 Gneiss
Platicity index (%) OH ou CH
40
30
OL ou CL
20
MH ou OH
10
CL - ML ML ou OL
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Liquid limit (%)
Figure 3. Unified soil classification using the Casagrande plasticity chart.
Strength parameters were obtained with direct shear tests for the residual soils of granite
and diabase and triaxial tests for the residual soil of gneiss. The effective parameters of the soils
are present in Table 3. Strength parameters of diabase residual soil exhibit the lowest effective
cohesion value and the highest value of the effective friction angle.
Table 3. Strength parameters.

Soil Effective cohesion value [kPa] Effective friction angle [o]
Diabase 10 35
Granite 13 33
Gneiss 12 32
SOIL-WATER CHARACTERISTIC CURVES
The soil-water characteristic curves of the studied soils were obtained using the filter
paper method. In addition, the water retention curve of gneiss residual soil was completed with
the use of the suction plate and pressure plate method. The studied soils were molded by
compacting under optimum moisture conditions. After that, the specimens were saturated by
spraying water, and then the filter paper technique was used to determine the degree of saturation
as a function of suction.
The filter paper technique consists in placing the filter paper in contact with the soil and
waiting for the suction between both (filter paper and soil) to balance. According to Fredlund and
Rahardjo (1993), seven days are the minimum waiting period to achieve the balance.
The water retention curve for the gneiss residual soil was obtained using the suction plate
method for suctions between 1 kPa and 30 kPa, the pressure plate method for suctions between
30 kPa and 400 kPa and the filter paper method for suctions greater than 400 kPa. Water
retention curve for the residual soils of granite and diabase were obtained just with the filter
© ASCE

paper method. Figure 4 presents experimental data of the soil-water characteristic curve for the
residual soils of diabase, granite and gneiss compacted under optimum moisture conditions and
void ratio versus soil suction.
The method used to obtain the equation to represents the water retention curve of the
studied soils was the one proposed by Fredlund and Xing (1994). The adjustment parameters
(i.e., a, n and m) are determined with non-linear regression procedures using the Soil Vision 4.23
database software. Table 4 presents the Fredlund and Xing (1994) model parameters of the
residual soils of diabase, granite, and gneiss.
Table 4. Parameters using Fredlund and Xing (1994) method.

Parameters Diabase Granite Gneiss
a [kPa] 2500 4700 1000
n 1.15 1.10 1.30
m 1.18 2.40 2.00
[%] 45.0 37.5 46.3
26547 25000 3000
The first point of importance on the soil-water characteristic curve is the generalized air-
entry value (ua–uw)b. The generalized air-entry identifies when the soil desaturation occurs more
intensely (i.e., the amount of water present in the soil structure starts to present a significant
reduction with the increase of suction). Table 5 presents these values for the studied soils. The
values were settled on the graphic illustrated in Figure 4. However, in Figure 4 we can observe
that the beginning of the air-entry occurs for suction values around 10 kPa, for the residual soil
of gneiss, and values around 50 kPa, for the residual soils of granite and diabase.
Table 5. Generalized air-entry value.

Soil (ua – uw)b [kPa]
Diabase 650
Granite 2500
Gneiss 250
The highest generalized air-entry value suction was found for the granite residual soil.
This soil presents a better graded granulometric curve and a higher percentage of clay fraction
when compared to the residual soils of diabase and gneiss. These aspects are due to the fact that
granite residual soil presents a higher specific dry weight in the optimum moisture conditions of
compaction and a lower saturated volumetric water content, justifying the fact that it presents the
highest value of generalized air-entry suction.
© ASCE

50
Diabase
experimental data
45 Granite
experimental data
40 Gneiss experimental
data
Fredlund e Xing
35
(1994) - diabase
Umidade Volumétrica (%)
Fredlund e Xing
30 (1994) - granite
Fredlund e Xing
(1994) - gneiss
25
20
15
10
1.10
1.00
0.90
Void index
0.80
0.70
0.60
0.50
1 10 100 1000 10000 100000 1000000
Suction (kPa)
Figure 4. Experimental data of the soil-water characteristic curve for the residual soils of
diabase, granite, and gneiss, and volume change during the drying procedure to determine
the water retention curve.
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Changes in soil suction can result in significant void ratio changes (i.e., overall volume
changes). During the drying procedure to determine the water retention curve, volumetric
variations were measured. The diameters and heights of the specimens are measured with a
pachymeter with precision of 0,01 mm. The graph relating voids index to suction, presented in
Figure 4, shows a reduction in the volume of the specimen during the determination of the
retention curve. According to Camapum de Carvalho et al. (2015), when the soil loses moisture,
it undergoes a process of contraction due the action of capillarity through the contractile
membrane that forms on its surface, ceasing in the non-expansive minerals with the entrance of
air into the soil. This fact was observed in the residual soil of granite and gneiss, which
presented, after the entry of air into the test specimen, a reduction of the volume variation rate
until reaching a null variation, keeping volume constant. On the other hand, volume variation of
the diabase residual soil tends to stabilize, but is present throughout all the process of
determining the soil-water characteristic curve. It indicates a possible presence of expansive
minerals. When there are expansive minerals on the soil, the loss of moisture results in the
energy balance between the outside and the inside of the mineral. The residual soil of diabase
and granite presented a reduction of volume of 9%, settled by the difference of the saturated
specimen volume to the last point of the retention curve volume. This variation of volume for the
residual soil of gneiss was of 3%. The high compressibility indicated in the Casagrande plasticity
chart (Figure 3), for the residual soils of granite and diabase, resulted in greater volumetric
variation.
Volumetric variations stabilize during the drying procedure to determine the water
retention curve for water moisture contents less than about 25%, corresponding to the inflection
point of the retention curves.
CONCLUSION
Residual soils of diabase, granite, and gneiss were studied under optimum moisture
conditions. The soil-water characteristic curves of the granite and diabase residual soils were
determined using the filter paper technique, following the drying path after initial saturation of
the specimen. The water retention curve of gneiss residual soil was established with the use of
suction plate, pressure plate and filter paper method. Complementing the experimental studies
there were characterization tests, determination of the grain size distribution curve and resistance
parameters. Soil-water characteristic curve, soil characteristics and volumetric variations of the
tested specimens were analyzed during the drying procedure to determine the water retention
curve, concluding:
 The granite residual soil presents a higher generalized air-entry value than the residual
soils of diabase and gneiss. This is probably related to the fact that it presents a better
graded granulometric curve, associated to a larger quantity of clay, which shows a greater
specific dry weight and a lower value of saturated volumetric moisture when compacted
in optimum moisture conditions, compared to the residual soils of diabase and gneiss.
© ASCE

 The granite and gneiss residual soil presented, after the air-entry into the tested specimen,
a reduction of the volume variation rate until reaching null variation. On the other hand,
for the residual soil of diabase, the volume variation almost stabilizes, but is still present
in the whole process of the retention curve determination.
 Volumetric variations stabilize during the drying procedure to determine the water
retention curve for water moisture contents less than 25%, corresponding to the inflection
point of the retention curves.

 The residual soil of diabase and granite presented a reduction of volume of 9%, settled by
the difference between the saturated specimen volume and the last point of the retention
curve volume. The volume variation of residual soil of gneiss was of 3%. The high
compressibility of the granite and diabase residual soil, indicated in the Casagrande
plasticity chart, resulted in greater volumetric variation.
REFERENCES
ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials). (2016). D 5298-16: Standard test method
for measurement of soil potential (suction) using filter paper. Philadelphia.
em dois tipos de Latossolos sob diferentes usos. Revista Brasileira de Ciência do Solo, v.
26, pp. 829-834.
Camapum de Carvalho, J.;Gitirana JR, G. F.; Machado, S. L.; Mascarenha, M. M. A.; Silva
Filho, F. C. (2015). Solos Não Saturados no Contexto Geotécnico. São Paulo: ABMS.
Fredlund D. G.; Houston, S. L. (2013). Interpretation of soil-water characteristic curves when
volume change occurs as soil suction is changed. Advances in Unsaturated Soils, 15-31.
Fredlund, D. G.; Rahardjo, H. (1993). An Overview of Unsaturated Soil Behavior. Soil
Mechanics for Unsaturated Soil. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Fredlund, D. G.; Xing, A. (1994). Equations for the Soil-Water Characteristic Curve. Canadian
Geotechnical Journal, v. 31, p.521-532.
Marinho, F. A. M. (1995). A técnica do papel filtro para a medição de sucção. In: Encontro
sobre Solos Não Saturados. Proceedings. Porto Alegre, 112-125.
Marinho, F. A. M.; Oliveira, O. M. (2006). The filter paper method revisited. Geotechnical
Testing Journal, v. 29, n. 3, p. 1-9.
Oliveira, O. M. (2004). Study on the Shear Strength of a Unsaturated Compacted Residual Soil.
DSc thesis, University of São Paulo, Brazil (in Portuguese).
Pecapedra, L. L. (2016).Study of Unsaturated Shear Strength of Granite and Diabase Residual
Soils from Florianópolis/SC. MSc thesis, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil (in
Portuguese).
Soto, M. A. A. (2004). Comparison between Imposition and Suction Control Methods in
Unsaturated Soil Testing. DSc thesis, School of Engineering of São Carlos, Brazil (in
Portuguese).
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PanAm Unsaturated Soils 2017 GSP 303 379

Comparative Analysis of Water Retention Curves of Residual Soils of Gneiss,

Luana L. Pecapedra1; Orlando M. de Oliveira, Ph.D.2; Rafael A. dos R. Higashi, Ph.D.3;

and Fernando A. M. Marinho, Ph.D.4

PanAm Unsaturated Soils 2017

SOIL CHARACTERISTICS AND STRENGTH PARAMETER

PanAm Unsaturated Soils 2017

Table 1. Soil characterization.

Medium sand [%] 15.8 10.4 6.0

Figure 1. Grain-size distribution.

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Table 2. Soil molding condition.

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Table 3. Strength parameters.

SOIL-WATER CHARACTERISTIC CURVES

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Table 4. Parameters using Fredlund and Xing (1994) method.

Table 5. Generalized air-entry value.

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point of the retention curves.

PanAm Unsaturated Soils 2017

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