The relationship between soil suction and
swelling properties in clays
Cemre ALAR
Abstract
A study of relationship between soil suction and swelling properties in clays considered five academic
papers, have been written by other authors. This study is the summation of that five papers and includes extra
information about the connection of that papers, by using the comparison of the papers. As a result of the
comparison. We get a sum of relationship of swelling properties of clayey soils and suction at the unsaturated
soils.
1. Introduction
Swelling type of clays are one of the
problematic soil type for constructions. When they
are exposed to wetting. They have large volume
expansions. In their drying periods, they are
returning back their original volumes. Knowing this
type of soils attitude before construction is
advantageous for the design of foundations. These
type of problems are generally shown in unsaturated
soils. Because of this; in this work, we examine the
five academic study, which have written before,
about the relationship between soil suction and
swelling properties. In first part, the summaries of
these studies will be given. At the second part, the
relationships between these papers will be revealed.
2. Summary of Resource
Papers
The following part is the summary of the
papers, which are used as a resource of this study.
The comments and relationships between others are
discussed in next part.
2.1.Hydromechanical Behaviour of a
Compacted Swelling Soil over a Wide
Suction Range
However, the relationship between suction
variations and compressibility is not well known as
far as compacted swelling materials are concerned.
The experimental investigation of the
hydromechanical behaviour of unsaturated swelling
soils requires the use of suction controlled devices in
a comprehensive range of suction, from low to very
high suctions.
This paper presents a study of the
hydromechanical behaviour of a compacted swelling
soil carried out on a range of suction comprised
between 0 and 40 MPa. Oedometers using the
osmotic method and others based on the saturated
salt solutions technique are introduced. The
influence of suction on the swelling potential H/H,
the preconsolidation pressure p0(s), the slopes of the
elastic part , and of the plastic part (s), of the
consolidation curves is discussed.
The techniques, which had used in this study,
are familiar to us. For this reason, it is not necessary
to give detailed information about the test
procedures. The results are important for our work.
The study was conducted with an artificially
pre- pared mixture (40% of silt and 60% of
bentonite). The mineralogical composition of the
materials was determined by X ray diffractometry.
The silt contained 60% quartz, 20% montmorillonite,
11% feldspar, and the remaining part was made up of
kaolinite and mica. The bentonite was composed of
more than 90% of calcium montmorillonite. The size
of the particles used to prepare the samples was less
than 400 m. The materials were mixed together and
wetted up to a gravimetric water content of 15 %. It
was not possible to prepare samples at a gravimetric
water content lower than 15% as they would not have
been sufficiently cohesive to be handled.
Under these conditions, the initial dry unit
weight of the samples was about 12.7 kNm-3. The
initial matric suction, measured by the Filter Paper
Method (ASTM, 1995a), was comprised between 20
and 25 MPa and the osmotic suction was comprised
between 1 and 2 MPa. The swelling potential H/H
when a sample is fully saturated, and the swelling
pressure Ps, required to eliminate height variations
during wetting, measured by the free swelling
method (ASTM, 1995b), were respectively 19% and
250 kPa. The gravimetric water content determined
after full saturation inside an oedometer was 49%.
During the first phase, a different suction was
applied in several steps for each test. In the second
phase the samples were loaded in several steps and
then unloaded under constant suction.
(s), and are not significantly affected by
the suction control method contrary to p0(s), whichis
80 kPa lower for the test performed in the osmotic
oedometer. The swelling potential and the final water
content are both higher in the test performed in the
osmotic oedometer.
Tests demonstrate that the influence of the
osmotic component of suction is not significant for a
suction of 8.5 MPa. was not significantly affected
by the applied suction in opposition to the parameter
(s).
p0(s) decreased continuously from 40 down
to 0 MPa. A basic assumption is to link this
parameter to the density of the sample: the lower the
density, the lower the preconsolidation pressure. But
this interpretation is not sufficiently satisfactory to
explain such a sharp decrease of preconsolidation
pressure. A possible explanation could be the void
filling by the clay particles in the low swelling phase.
In fact, during the first stage of wetting, the
macrostructural density is not changed significantly,
but the microstructure of the sample is altered
dramatically, decreasing the mechanical properties
of the studied material.
The results from the conclusion part; the
methods used did not significantly affect the values
of the hydromechanical parameters determined. The
preconsolidation pressure is strongly affected by the
suction decrease between the initial suction and 4
MPa, that is to say during the low swelling phase.
This demonstrates that the preconsolidation pressure
of a compacted swelling soil is not only a function of
its density but it depends also on the microscopic
repartition of the clay particles inside the soil.
2.2.Swell Pressure Prediction by Suction
Methods
Soil suction was correlated to the soil
properties, namely, water content, dry density,
plasticity index, cation exchange capacity and
specific surface area using multiple regression
analyses.
After the soil suction of the individual
specimens was determined, suction values were
plotted against water content to establish the log soil
suction (log s) versus water content (w) relationship.
The multiple regression analyses were
carried out to correlate the measured soil suctions to
plasticity index and water content, which revealed
the following result:
= 2,02 + 0,00603 0,0769
= 0,93
This equation can be used to estimate the soil
suction of a clayey soil from easily determined soil
properties Ip and w when suction measurements are
not available.
The regression analyses were carried out to
correlate the volumetric compressibility factor to
the initial dry density dryi, and plasticity index Ip
revealed the following result:
= 1,45 + 0,005 + 0,991 = 0,99
These analyses with high coefficient of
determination confirm the existence of strong
correlations between the volumetric compressibility
factor and the soil properties Ip and dryi.
The multiple regression analyses were
carried out to correlate the measured swell pressure
to the dry density and the soil suction, Ps was the
swell pressure in kg/cm2. The same unit and symbol
were used in the subsequent analysis. A combined
analyses including entire range of plasticity indices
gave the following correlation:
= 8,04 + 0,0177 + 4,390
+ 0,540 log
= 0.94
The conclusion of the study is claims that
there is a linear relationship between the log soil
suction (log s) and water content (w). The relatively
strong dependence of the soil suction on the type of
the clay mixtures and water content was observed as
an increase in the bentonite content or a reduction in
the water content resulted in higher equilibrium
suction for all the specimens. However, the
insignificant effect of the initial dry density on the
soil suction was also found thereby confirming the
previous findings in the literature. The soil suction
was strongly dependent on water content and
bentonite content in the clay mixtures whereas it was
less affected by the changes in the dry density. The
value was correlated to the Ip and dryi values.
revealed that a simple procedure to predict the swell
pressure from suction measurements can be used.
There- fore, it is expected that the swell pressure of a
clay soil can be predicted provided that the initial soil
suction and the two soil properties, namely, plasticity
index and dry density are determined using simpler
techniques than the constant volume swell tests in
oedometers in a short period of time.
2.3.The Relationship between Suction and
Swelling Properties in a Heavily
Compacted Unsaturated Clay
In this paper, an experimental study on the
influence of suction on the swelling properties of an
expansive, highly compacted clay is presented. Due
to very high suction values measured in this material,
particular attention was paid to the development and
improvement of experimental techniques for
controlling high suctions. The capabilities of the
controlled relative humidity technique and of the
osmotic technique were investigated. Finally, both
methods are used to study the water retention and
swelling properties of a French dense compacted
clay (FoCa7) under zero applied stress.
This study includes more information than
necessary for our work, and only related parts of the
study is summarized.
The determination of the water retention
curve of the FoCa7 clay was made, in the high range
of suctions, by imposing controlled relative
humidities to the samples. Imposed suctions ranged
between 6.1 and 262 MPa. The extreme values of
water content, void ratio and degree of saturation
were 6.828.1 (w), 0.3920.846(e) and 46.3
88.7%(Sr), respectively, as compared to the average
values at the initial state (w=13%, e=0.431,
Sr=79.5%). The maximum swelling observed is 96%,
at s=6.1MPa; which occurs with a15% increase of
water content, and a final water content more than
twice larger than the initial value of 13%. This
confirms the considerable swelling properties of the
FoCa7 clay.
The reversible response observed on the
FoCa7 clay in both water content and volume
changes during cyclic suction changes, is not in full
agreement with existing experimental data on
unsaturated and expansive soils. FoCa7 clay presents
unusually reversible behaviour under suction cycles,
even for strains as large as 50%.
Some elements of interpretation are provided
that for suctions lower than the initial value, the air
volume remains constant, all volume changes
coinciding exactly with the amount of exchanged
water. During swelling, to a decreasing degree of
saturation, which may be easily related to the total
volume and/or suction.
Results by various authors showed slight
hysteresis in the water content/suction curves of illite
and montmorillonite, which is also consistent with
the results obtained in this study.
 Another conclusion is that the application of
suction higher than the initial value does not lead to
significant shrinkage of the sample.
In the range of suctions at which the clay
barrier is expected to work, that is, lower than the
initial suction, the reversibility of both water
retention and swelling properties is an interesting
property which simplifies the analysis of the
hydration process of the clay.
A complete retention curve was obtained
over the 0262 MPa range of suction, showing a very
good reproductibility between various samples, and
very slight hysteretic effects at all suctions. Results
plotted in a void ratio/log (suction) diagram showed
fairly linear and reversible behaviour at all suctions
smaller than the initial one (113 MPa). A constant
volume of air equal to the initial value was observed,
showing that total volume changes were equal to the
volume of exchanged water.
2.4. Relationship between Methylene Blue
Value, Initial Soil Suction and Swell
Percent of Expansive Soils
Methylene blue adsorption (MBA) is a
measure of the clay particle surface area, which is a
function of clay type, and an indicator of the
percentage for water adsorption by the clay, and
hence, its percentage for swell when wetted. Surface
area measurements are a direct reflection of clay
mineralogy, but are an indirect reflection of
expansivity (Fityus et al., 2000; Fityus and Smith,
2000). Some authors believe that the cation exchange
capacities of clay minerals can be measured by the
adsorption of methylene blue from aqueous
solutions; Nevins and Wientritt (1967) found a close
relationship between MBA and ammonium acetate
analysis and cation exchange capacities.
From each clay mixture four disc-shaped
specimens having a diameter of 36 mm and height of
15 mm were prepared at a dry density of 1.64 Mg/m3
and a water content of 10%, using static compaction.
After preparing four compacted samples, one of them
was left at the initial water content level. The
remaining three samples were wetted with varying
amounts of water for varying lengths of time to
establish a range of water content conditions. After
this gradual wetting process, all four specimens were
left to swell in the desiccator for 2 to 3 days to attain
equilibrium water contents. Then all four specimens
were waxed. A hole was drilled on the waxed,
covered sample so that the ceramic shield of
psychrometer could be placed in the hole to measure
the _nal equilibrium soil suction values. The sides of
the psychrometer were isolated by plastic modelling
clay to prevent any water content change. These four
samples were placed in jars and the jars were closed
with the rubber stoppers which had been affixed to
the psychrometer wire. The jars were placed in a
cardboard box filled with plastic foam packing
material for better heat insulation and left to reach
equilibrium. Usually it took 24 hours to reach
equilibrium. Psychrometer voltage outputs and
temperature readings are taken. This procedure was
repeated at least three times a day until the successive
readings stabilise, meaning that vapor pressure
equilibrium is reached.
The study con_rmed the influence of
mineralogical composition as a controlling factor
governing the swell behaviour of expansive clayey
soil. As the methylene blue value increases, the swell
percent also increases. The results indicated a linear
relationship between MBV and swell percent. Also
the results indicated a strong relationship between
initial soil suction (Log10) and swell percent The
regression analysis made on the MBV-initial soil
suction-swell percent (oedometer test) data has
revealed the following correlation:
(%)
= 121.807 + (12,1696 ) + [27,6579
log(
There is a strong relationship between MBV,
initial soil suction and the swell percent. As the initial
soil suction and MBV increases, swell percent also
increases for the given initial dry density and water
content.
The reliability of swell percent prediction
method based on methylene blue value and initial
soil suction (Log10) data is evaluated, the coefficient
of correlation (R2) of this relationship is 0.992.
 2.5.Suction and Swell Characteristics of
Compacted Clayey Soils
The objective of this research is to investigate
the relationships between swelling properties and
suction of natural clayey soils which have not been
studied enough yet.
Natural clayey soil samples used in study
were taken from three different locations in the
middle and west parts of Turkey. The samples are
tested with Swell Test (Oedometer Tests) and
Suction Test (Thermocouple Psychrometers).
The Results show that the relationship
between swellsuction and swelling pressure
suction were linear. It is well known from the
literature that, with a soil having any initial water
content, suction is almost independent of the initial
dry density. However, percent swell and swelling
pressure values of soils are dependent considerably
on initial dry density. Therefore, relationships for
percent swellsuction and swelling pressuresuction
are not unique for all initial conditions. However, a
generalized relationship for percent swellsuction
can be presented:
= +
Where A and B are fitting parameters.
In addition, a generalized relationship for
swelling pressuresuction can be presented:
= +
These equations show us that there is linear
dependency between suction-swell percent and
suction-swelling pressure separately. The values of
A, B, C and D varies with respect to soil type.
The experimental method proved to be well
suited to the investigation and yielded useful results.
The methods are recommended for further studies. It
was shown that there are linear relationships between
percent swell and suction (in log kPa term); also the
results of testing indicate that the relationships
between swelling pressure and suction depend on the
nature of the three different clayey soils. A general
equation can be established for estimation of swell
characteristics of soils by using phsico-chemical soil
properties in addition to soil suction.
3. Comparison of Findings of
Papers
In the first study; the experiments are resulted
in the methods used did not affect the
hydromechanical properties of soil. But from the
initial suction to 4 MPa of suction, the
preconsolidation pressure is decreased dramatically.
This shows us that the preconsolidation pressure of
soil is not only a function of its density but also
depends on the repartition of clay particles.
In the second study; the relationships
between suction and the swelling soil parameters are
revealed by using different test methods. The soil
suctions can get from the known plasticity index and
water content values. Compressibility factor () can
get from the known plasticity index and initial dry
density values. In addition to these; plasticity index,
initial dry density and suction values can give us the
swell pressure value. The coefficient of
determination values of these relationships are very
strong.
The third study shows us that the swelling
occurs at the saturated part of the soil. The tests show
that all the volume change is equal to the volume of
exchanged water. Also another result shows that the
higher suction value than the initial suction value,
does not cause a significant change in shrinkage.
In the fourth study; The relationship between
clay surface area, with the help of the MBA method,
and logarithm of initial soil suction and swell
percentage of soil. And this relations regression
analysis has very high coefficient of determination.
The last study of the sources of our work is
revealed a linear relationship between the percent
swell-suction and swelling pressure-suction.
4. Conclusion
The result of our work is lead us to swelling
properties of the clayey soil can be directly related
with suction values of that soil and it can give us very
precise results. When we have not opportunity to soils. We can use that relationship to estimate the
measure the suction value of a problematic type of values we try to find.

5. References
[1]
Cuisinier, O., & Masrouri, F. (2005). Hydromechanical behaviour of a compacted swelling soil over a wide suction
range. Engineering Geology 81, 204-212. Retrieved August 2, 2005, from www.sciencedirect.com.
[2]
Erzin, Y., & Erol, O. (2007). Swell pressure prediction by suction methods. Engineering Geology 92, 133-145.
Retrieved from www.sciencedirect.com
[3]
Delage, P., Howat, M., & Cui, Y. (1997). The relationship between suction and swelling properties in a heavily
compacted unsaturated clay. Engineering Geology 50, 31-48.
[4]
oka, E. (2001). Relationship between Methylene Blue Value, Initial Soil Suction and Swell Percent of Expansive
Soils. Department of Civil Engineering, Middle East Technical University, 31-48.
[5]
Uzundurukan, S., Keskin, S., Yldrm, H., Gksan, T., & imen, . (2014). Suction and Swell Characteristics of
Compacted Clayey Soils. Arab J Sci Eng, 747-752.