CHARACTERISATION OF EXPANSIVE SOIL MICROFABRIC

The paper illustrates the nature and range of microfabric features in natural expansive soils. It highlights the hitherto lack of comprehensive and unified descriptive terminology for expansive soil microfabric and presents a suitable framework for the engineering classification of microfabric features. Classification is based on previous concepts and on observations made using a scanning electron microscope on a number of expansive soils from worldwide locations representing a varied spectrum of geological soil types. Examples of the various individual forms are given and attention is drawn to their significance in relation to swelling behaviour. A "composite microfabric" model is presented to convey the idea that natural expansive soil microfabric is invariably heterogeneous and multi-level in character. It is emphasised that such an approach is vital for a full characterisation of expansive soil microfabric and for a thorough understanding of the behaviour of expansive soils. (Author/TRRL)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0858252198
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Expansive Soils, Adelaide, South Australia, 21-23 May, 1984.
• Corporate Authors:

  Institution of Engineers

  11 National Circuit
  Barton, A.C.T.,   Australia 
• Authors:
  • Collins, K
• Conference:
  • Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Expansive Soils, Adelaide, South Australia, 21-23 May, 1984.
• Publication Date: 1984

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 37-41
• Serial:
  • Issue Number: 84/3

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Classification; Composite materials; Conferences; General surface features of the earth; Geomorphology; Isotropy; Mathematical models; Matrices (Mathematics); Microstructure; Particles; Soils; Swelling; Swelling soils
• Uncontrolled Terms: Micro
• ITRD Terms: 8513: Classification; 9005: Composite; 8525: Conference; 5917: Isotropic; 6494: Matrix; 9045: Micro; 4511: Particle; 4156: Soil; 4076: Structure (geomorphol); 5203: Swelling (soil)
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00389689
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• ISBN: 0-85825-219-8
• Files: ITRD, TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: Mar 29 1985 12:00AM