Simulation of the expansive soil behavior using state surfaces

State surface approach is becoming much less popular nowadays since many elastoplastic modelers consider though it is useful, as a simplified method, in some practical problems, it can not be used to explain complex stress path dependency for unsaturated soils. Consequently, nearly all elasto-plastic modelers used "normal compression lines at different suction levels" to develop their models. In this paper, the physical meanings of the state surface are first explained. The relationship between the LC yield curve and the plastic yielding surface is illustrated. After that the Experimental work by Brackley (1975) is simulated using the state surface. It is found that state surface approach, when used correctly, can bring great convenience in explaining unsaturated soil behavior and generate bettering understanding of unsaturated soil behavior including stress path dependency. 2007 Taylor & Francis Group, London.

Simulation of the expansive soil behavior using state surfaces Conference Paper