Shear Strength Criteria for Unsaturated Soils

Shear strength is one of the fundamental properties of unsaturated soils. It has been found to change with matric suction. Various shear strength equations have been proposed for predicting the shear strength versus suction relationship for unsaturated soils. Some of these equations are based on regression analysis of experimental data, while some are embodied in more complex stress-strain constitutive models. In this paper, a variety of shear strength equations are examined and compared with respect to their fit of experimental data. Data for specimens prepared from initially slurry conditions as well as data for initially compacted soil specimens are analysed. The advantages and limitations associated with various proposed shear strength equations are discussed in this paper.