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On constitutive modelling of unsaturated soils

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Abstract

The paper presents a review of constitutive modelling of unsaturated soils. After a brief historical perspective, a number of existing constitutive models are classified and discussed according to the type of stress variables adopted in their formulation. Afterwards, attention is given to recent developments in the proposal of coupled hydraulic-mechanical models and the possibility of casting them in a sound thermodynamical framework. Finally, a double structure model for expansive soils is described. The incorporation of microstructural considerations and its use as a platform for incorporating the influence of new variables are highlighted.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geotechnical Engineering and Geosciences, Technical University of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain

    Antonio Gens

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK

    Marcelo Sánchez

  3. Discipline of Civil, Surveying and Environmental Engineering, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia

    Daichao Sheng

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  1. Antonio Gens
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  2. Marcelo Sánchez
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  3. Daichao Sheng
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Correspondence to Antonio Gens.

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Gens, A., Sánchez, M. & Sheng, D. On constitutive modelling of unsaturated soils. Acta Geotech. 1, 137–147 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-006-0013-9

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