Temperature- and saturation-dependent behaviour of unsaturated clay beams in bending tests

Abstract

The paper investigates the deformation behaviour of partially saturated clay beams under flexural stress. Beams were prepared from two clays and then loaded until failure. Three degrees of saturation and two loading rates were examined for each clay. The load, the matric suction at different beam points, and deflection in the middle of the beam were measured during the tests. The loading device ensures an even distribution of stresses on the top surface of the beam, which was confirmed by employing tactile pressure matrix sensors placed between the loading device and the beam. In addition to the tests at room temperature, tests at 55 °C were carried out in a walk-in climate chamber to assess the effects of temperature. The papersummarises the testing procedure and presents selected experimental results.