Abstract

The null pressure plate apparatus is conventionally used in the measurement of matric suction of fine-grained unsaturated soil specimens applying the axis-translation technique. This apparatus is typically used to measure the matric suction in the range of 50–500 kPa in a laboratory environment. This paper provides design and construction details of the modifications and improvements to the conventionally used null pressure plate apparatus to promote the accuracy and repeatability of matric suction measurements. Several test results of matric suction measurements on compacted Indian Head till specimens over a suction range of 30–300 kPa are reported using both the modified null pressure plate and the contact filter paper technique. The results indicate that there is a good comparison between these two techniques on identically prepared specimens.

Issue Section:
Technical Notes
Keywords:
axis-translation technique, matric suction, unsaturated soils, soil suction estimation, contact filter paper method

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