Evolution of K

The paper describes the results of an experimental study aimed at evaluating the evolution of the stress ratio under zero lateral deformation K0=σh/σv in compacted loess upon one-dimensional compression and wetting paths. The main features of a novel oedometer cell equipped with radial stress measurement are first presented. Statically compacted loess specimens where subjected to loading paths at constant water content as well as wetting at constant vertical stress in which measurements of horizontal stress were used in the estimation of K0. Results show an important dependency of the vertical stress prior to wetting on the measured stress ratio. This behaviour is caused by differences in soil fabric achieved before wetting. Experimental results are compared against previous studies of compacted loess behaviour.