MATRIX SUCTION INSTRUMENTATION OF A VERTICAL MOISTURE BARRIER. Academic Article

abstract

• The rehabilitation of a section of Interstate 37 in San Antonio, Texas, was undertaken to correct a chronic problem of expansive clay roughness. A vertical moisture barrier was placed down to a depth of 8 ft (2. 4 m) along the outside shoulders of the northbound and southbound lanes. The calibration of the thermal moisture sensors that are used to measure suction, the difficulties encountered in the calibration process and how they were overcome, and the installation of the sensors in boreholes on each side of the moisture barrier are described. The devices are sensitive and accurate in measuring suctions above minus 1 bar but lose sensitivity below that level of suction. The site and soil conditions, the placement and cost of moisture barrier, and subsequent indications of moisture changes inside and outside of the barrier are also described.

authors

• Lytton, Robert

published proceedings

• Transportation Research Record

author list (cited authors)

• Picornell, M., Lytton, R. L., & Steinberg, M.

complete list of authors

• Picornell, M||Lytton, RL||Steinberg, M

publication date

• January 1983

published in

• Transportation Research Record  Journal

start page

• 16

end page

• 21