A CONCEPTUAL MODEL FOR THE DRYING AND WETTING OF SOIL

A simple conceptual model is introduced which provides a framework for examining water content and volume changes produced by altering the soil suction. It is based on the concept of a 'Virgin Drying Line' (VDL). This line represents the water content-suction relationship for an initially saturated, normally consolidated soil subjected to drying with no external stresses applied. The model for drying and wetting uses similar concepts to those of normal- and over-consolidation. Soil on the VDL is called 'Normally dried'. However soil can exist at other states beneath the VDL due to re-wetting, and these states will be called 'Over-dried'. It is also possible for soil to exist beneath the VDL while still saturated due to overconsolidation. (A) For the covering abstract see IRRD 881647.