Effect of different types of wetting fluids on the behaviour of expansive soil during wetting and drying

This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation into the mechanical behaviour of an expansive soil during wetting and drying cycles. The experimental tests were conducted in a modified oedometer under two different surcharge pressures (10 and 20 kPa). During the tests, the samples were inundated with different types of wetting fluids (distilled water, saline water and acidic water). The volumetric deformation, void ratio and water content of the samples were determined during cycles of wetting and drying. The results show that the swelling potential increases with an increasing number of wetting and drying cycles. The effect of the distilled water on the swelling potential is not the same as that of the saline water or the acidic water, particularly for different surcharge pressures. The variations in void ratio and water content show that, at the equilibrium condition, the wetting and drying paths converge to nearly an S-shaped curve. This curve consists of a linear portion and two curved portions, and the majority of the deformation is located between the saturation curves of 90% and 40%.