Influence of physical properties on deformation characteristics of collapsible soils

The paper introduces structural pressure values as separation “points” between elastic and plastic states of any soil (including collapsible soils) subjected to loading. Collapsibility of soils is identified as a non-elastic deformation. The collapse of soils starts when the applied stress exceeds soil structural pressure values (initial collapse pressures, according to some official documents) which depend on change of some soil physical property(ies). New analytical expressions describing dependence of mechanical characteristics of collapsible soils on soil void ratios and moisture contents are proposed. The obtained equations were verified by published test results. The algebraic structure of previously obtained empirical expressions between mechanical characteristics of collapsible soils and their physical properties is similar to the structure of theoretically derived equations.