Hydraulic and mechanical behaviour of GMZ ca-bentonite

Gaomiaozi (GMZ) Ca-bentonite has distinct swelling and shrinkage behaviour. The soil-water retention behaviour of GMZ Ca-bentonite at high suctions (3-287MPa) is measured by vapor equilibrium technique. The influential factors such as drying-wetting process and initial void ratio are discussed in terms of the soil-water retention and mechanical behaviour respectively. This study exposes that the void ratio has less influence on the relationship between water content and suction but it has significant effect on the relationship between degree of saturation and suction. The suction of soil can produce suction stress. The suction stress increases with the increase of suction and it reaches a certain value at a high suction level. Suction path and initial void ratio have the influence on the suction stress.