Relationship between pore-size distribution and shear strength of compacted sand-kaolin mixtures

Abstract

Determination of pore size distribution of sand-kaolin relationship with shear strength is the main objective of the study. Different compositions of sand and kaolin result in different distributions of pore sizes between the soil particles. In this experiment, sand-kaolin mixtures were tested for shear strength under saturated and unsaturated conditions using triaxial tests. The soil-water characteristic curve relates volumetric water content with matric suction of soil. Understanding how pore-size distribution affects shear strength is important for many engineering works.