Engineering approach to interpretation of oedometer tests performed on collapsible soils

Two mathematical models were selected for describing soil collapsibility. The elastic behavior of quasi-uniform materials was utilized for modeling one-dimensional compression of ‘dry’ soil specimens. Water-saturated soil specimens were modeled as elastic materials where deformation properties ‘improve’ during stress increase. Two simple formulas are offered for the interpretation of the double oedometer tests. The validity of these formulas derived within the common stress domain was demonstrated. The analytical expressions derived from the double oedometer tests may be utilized in the interpretation of the single oedometer tests. The effectiveness of the suggested method in the interpretation of single oedometer test was illustrated using the test results published in the literature.