Three physical states of soilaggregate mixtures喜High stability whenHigh stability whenHighstabilitywhenconfinedconfinedconfinedANDdryNocohesionHighcohesionwhenHighcohesionwhendrydry,low when wetHighangleofinternalHighangle of internalNo angle of internalfrictionfrictionfrictionwhen wetNotaffected byModeratelyaffectedbyGreatlyaffectedbymoistureconditionsmoistureconditionsmoistureconditionsVerydifficulttoNotdifficultto compactModeratelydificulttoat rightmoisturelevelcompactcompactAugust31,2025TUDelft
August 31, 2025 6 Three physical states of soil aggregate mixtures High stability when confined High stability when confined High stability when confined AND dry No cohesion High cohesion when dry High cohesion when dry, low when wet High angle of internal friction High angle of internal friction No angle of internal friction when wet Not affected by moisture conditions Moderately affected by moisture conditions Greatly affected by moisture conditions Very difficult to compact Moderately dificult to compact Not difficult to compact at right moisture level
Previous slideindicatedimportance ofgradation and characteristics of the finesAugust31,2025TUDelft
August 31, 2025 7 Previous slide indicated importance of gradation and characteristics of the fines
Particle sizedistributioncurvesforsandsandgravelsBRITISHSTANDARO_SIEVE SIZES636002126-32037-5L2015013004251-18103-3514075200800285OOOONISS1AOINEEFullercurveT200-0020-006mm0-020-060-20620602C200BOOmFineFineMediumCoarseMediumFineCosrseMediumCosreCLAYCOBBLESBOULDERSSILTSANDGRAVELTTUDelft
August 31, 2025 8 Particle size distribution curves for sands and gravels
FullercurveIf particle size distribution curve is according toFuller,thentheparticlesfit so nicetogetherthat one has the densest packing and sothehighest stability.Equation:Px=V(Dx/ Dmax)Px = percentage by mass having diametersmallerthanDxDmax=maximum particle sizeAugust31,2025ATUDelft
August 31, 2025 9 Fuller curve • If particle size distribution curve is according to Fuller, then the particles fit so nice together that one has the densest packing and so the highest stability. • Equation: px = (Dx / Dmax) px = percentage by mass having diameter smaller than Dx Dmax = maximum particle size
Particle sizedistributioncurvesforsands,silts and claysBRITISHSIANOARDSIEVESIZES632126020200ODNISSBDVINO-008020-0020-020-06208o200eoorFuneMedrunFindCOBBLESBOULDERSSILTTTUDelft
August 31, 2025 10 Particle size distribution curves for sands, silts and clays