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Desiccation cracking of soils

Publication ,  Journal Article
Peron, H; Laloui, L; Hueckel, T; Hu, LB
Published in: European Journal of Environmental and Civil Engineering
January 1, 2009

The scope of this paper is to present the global mechanisms of soil desiccation, including drying shrinkage and cracking. The paper first reviews the basic processes that are beneath the word “desiccation”. Then the results of an experimental study of desiccation are presented, in which strains, suction, water content, degree of saturation and crack geometry are investigated. The results show that cracking initiates close to the onset of de-saturation. Insights into the micro-scale are proposed to explain this observation. A scenario for the processes leading to crack initiation is further established in terms of the macroscopic variables: an assessment of the stress building up is proposed, until a critical point at which the tensile strength is met. Desiccation crack pattern formation is finally discussed. © 2009 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Duke Scholars

Published In

European Journal of Environmental and Civil Engineering

DOI

ISSN

1964-8189

Publication Date

January 1, 2009

Volume

13

Issue

7-8

Start / End Page

869 / 888

Related Subject Headings

  • 4005 Civil engineering
  • 0905 Civil Engineering
  • 0502 Environmental Science and Management
 

Citation

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Peron, H., Laloui, L., Hueckel, T., & Hu, L. B. (2009). Desiccation cracking of soils. European Journal of Environmental and Civil Engineering, 13(7–8), 869–888. https://doi.org/10.1080/19648189.2009.9693159
Peron, H., L. Laloui, T. Hueckel, and L. B. Hu. “Desiccation cracking of soils.” European Journal of Environmental and Civil Engineering 13, no. 7–8 (January 1, 2009): 869–88. https://doi.org/10.1080/19648189.2009.9693159.
Peron H, Laloui L, Hueckel T, Hu LB. Desiccation cracking of soils. European Journal of Environmental and Civil Engineering. 2009 Jan 1;13(7–8):869–88.
Peron, H., et al. “Desiccation cracking of soils.” European Journal of Environmental and Civil Engineering, vol. 13, no. 7–8, Jan. 2009, pp. 869–88. Scopus, doi:10.1080/19648189.2009.9693159.
Peron H, Laloui L, Hueckel T, Hu LB. Desiccation cracking of soils. European Journal of Environmental and Civil Engineering. 2009 Jan 1;13(7–8):869–888.
Journal cover image

Published In

European Journal of Environmental and Civil Engineering

DOI

ISSN

1964-8189

Publication Date

January 1, 2009

Volume

13

Issue

7-8

Start / End Page

869 / 888

Related Subject Headings

  • 4005 Civil engineering
  • 0905 Civil Engineering
  • 0502 Environmental Science and Management