The 12th International Conference of

International Association for Computer Methods and Advances in Geomechanics (IACMAG)

1-6 October, 2008
Goa, India

A Hyperbolic Model for Stress-strain Behavior of Unsaturated Soils

H. Rahnema
Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Shiraz University of Technology, Shiraz, Iran

Keywords: hyperbolic, unsaturated soil, shear, shear modulus, collapse.

ABSTRACT: A new simple shear apparatus is fabricated which is capable of applying monotonic and cyclic load on
soil specimens. A series of tests was conducted to study the pore pressures (or suction), volume change, and shear
behavior of the soil samples with anisotropic consolidation pressure. The simple shear apparatus is capable of
controlling as well as measuring pore-air and pore-water pressure in the specimen separately. Simple shear tests are
conducted inside a special triaxial type cell and normal stress and confining pressure can be applied to the soil
sample. A hyperbolic formulation for shear behavior of unsaturated soils is suggested and the general stress-strain
behavior of unsaturated soil is illustrated as a proper constitutive relationship. The variation of initial shear modulus
versus water content is estimated as an exponential function and the amount of variation of shear strength due to a
change in water content are determined.

1 Introduction
The general field of the soil mechanics may be subdivided into two parts, one dealing with saturated soil and another
with unsaturated soils. The differentiation between the two becomes necessary due to the basic differences
in their nature and engineering behavior. An unsaturated soil has more than two phases, and the pore-water
pressure is negative relative to the pore-air pressure. So testing unsaturated soils needs some instruments and
techniques which are not available in conventional simple shear and triaxial apparatus. Volumetric compression
during saturation known as collapse phenomenon is a behavior merely observed in unsaturated soils. Values of
shear strength, volumetric change and matric suction in unsaturated soils varies with variation of degree of saturation.
Since 1930 (Terzaghi, 1936) the principle of effective stress (σ − u w ) has received a widespread application in
saturated soils. During the 1950's, Bishop proposed an effective stress equation for unsaturated soils and proceeded
to study volume change in unsaturated soils (Bishop, 1959). Matyas and Radhakrishna (1968) provided experimental
data that demonstrated the form of the constitutive surface for void ratio and degree of saturation, in terms of two
independent stress state variables. Fredlund and Morgenstern (1976) proposed and experimentally tested
constitutive relations for volume change in unsaturated soils. In 1981, Lloret and Alanso (1981) presented
equations to describe the consolidation behavior of unsaturated soils. Duncan and Chang (1970) proposed a
hyperbolic formulation to describe nonlinear stress-strain behavior of many soils prior to failure. Habibagahi and
Mokhberi (1997) performed an experimental program and based on its results, they investigated the influence of
initial water content on the bulk modulus of compacted soils and presented a hyperbolic formulation, as a state
surface, capable of describing collapse behavior. Rahnema et al. (2003) proposed a new simple shear apparatus
capable of applying monotonic and cyclic load on unsaturated soil specimens. Cylindrical specimens were placed in a
special triaxial type cell where confining pressure, pore air and pore water pressures could be controlled. Soil suction
could be measured using the so-called axis-translation technique by increasing the pore air pressure through
the top low air entry disk and recording the pore water pressure through the high air entry ceramic disk. In this paper
based on the results of an experimental program, a hyperbolic formulation for shear behavior of unsaturated soils is
suggested. Based on the model investigated and the recent investigations on bulk modulus (Habibagahi and
Mokhberi, 1998), a general stress-strain behavior for unsaturated soils is proposed. .

2 Equipment
An apparatus for conducting simple shear test on unsaturated soil specimens was fabricated by Rahnema
et.al (2003) and is shown in Figure 1. The apparatus is capable of controlling as well as measuring pore-air
and pore-water pressure in the specimen separately. Simple shear tests are conducted inside a special
triaxial Type cell and normal stress and confining pressure can be applied to the soil sample. The apparatus consists

2012
of two separate portions, an inner part (the parts No. 1, 4, 5 and 6 in Figure1) and an outer part (the parts No. 2, 3, 7 and
8 in Figure 1). The inner portion which is inside the triaxial cell and contains a pedestal (the part No. 5 in Figure 1) with a
grooved water compartment supporting a 5 bar high air entry disk sealed into the central part of the pedestal as shown in
Figure 2. The high air entry ceramic disk is in direct contact with the soil sample and used to measure the soil water
pressure. Since the high air entry ceramic disk has a very low permeability (4.0x10-10 m/s). Therefore it is time
consuming if a change in degree of saturation is desired during test. Hence, a coarse annular porous stone, as shown
in Figure 2 (a) was installed in the pedestal to facilitate saturation required during testing. Clearly this annular stone is
dry at the outset of the test and it will only be used to saturate the sample if needed during the test. The pedestal is
attached to a movable base with a pedestal shaft. The movable base is mounted on a pair of horizontal rolling tables,
which makes the inner portion capable of moving horizontally back and forth. The pore-air pressure, ua, can be measured
and controlled to impose a given matric suction, (ua-uw), in the soil specimen. The soil specimen is a short circular
sample with 100 mm diameter and a height of 20 mm. The sample is placed on top of the ceramic disk and is
covered with a robber membrane. The loading cap was provided with a coarse porous stone and a perforated circular
plate 1 mm in thickness. The perforated plate was used to increase the friction between the top cap and the soil
specimen. A tube connected to the top cap permits the air pressure to be controlled in the soil sample. The movable
base is attached to a load cell and then to a motorized gear box. The horizontal load needed for shearing the soil
sample can be measured via the load cell transducer. The horizontal displacement of the specimen can be measured
using linear voltage displacement transducers (LVDT's). The holding frame keeps the top cap from movement, when
the soil sample is sheared. The outer portion consists of the triaxial type cell, the base, the holding frame and the
attaching parts to the shear equipment frame. The triaxial-type cell was a 1700 kPa cell, with the loading ram passing
through its cap. The loading ram was attached to a load cell to measure the vertical force applied to soil sample. The
base consists of six valves connecting to the pedestal and top cap. Four valves of them are used to apply, control, and
measure the cell, pore-air, and pore-water pressures. The other two valves are connected to coarse
annular ring mounted on the pedestal and used to saturate the specimen if needed. The important portion
of the apparatus is the connection of the outer part and inner portion. This connection must allow relative
horizontal movement of the outer part and inner part and it must be watertight to avoid water leaking
from the cell.

2- loading ram
3- triaxial cell
1
4- frame holding the top cap
5- top cap 2
6- pedestal capable of 3
moving horizontally 4
7- connection between the 5
6
pedestal and fixed triaxial
base 7
8- triaxial base 8
9- movable base with rolling outer portion
9
table. inner portion
10- attaching parts 10
11- supporting frame 11
12- soil sample
Normal load
Figure 1. Modified simple shear apparatus for testing unsaturated soils
under matric suction using the axis translation technique

3 Experimentation
In order to study simple shear behavior of unsaturated soils, a testing program was planned. A series of
experiments consisted of several undrained loading, consolidation, simple shearing, with/without
applying/controlling pore air and pore water pressure were performed on compacted soil specimens. In
these tests, the soil samples with some pre-defined conditions in terms of initial water content and dry
density were prepared. Volume change of the soil specimens was measured when the specimen was
sheared. The specimens were subjected to a series of unloading-reloading cycles at different amounts
of shear strains. At the end of the test, the specimens were saturated and the amount of collapse
deformation and the change in shearing force during saturation was measured. During the test, the
amounts of matric suction were obtained. The specimens were saturated during or at the end of shearing
strain applied. Saturation of the soil specimens educed the suction pressure to a negligible amount and
shearing force dropped rapidly.

2013
4 Soil Properties
The soil used was obtained in bulk volume from a site in Seevand area located 100 km north of Shiraz in
Fars province of Iran. Previous geotechnical works at the site had revealed the collapsing nature of the
soil. Table (1) summarizes index properties of soil tested. The soil is classified as CL according to the
unified soil classification system.

Table 1. properties of tested soil

Grain size distribution Compaction

Specific gravity Liquid limit Plastic Limit Shrinkage Limit
Clay Silt Sand (%) (%) (%) (γd)max wopt
3
(%) (%) (%) kN/m (%)
25 66 9 2.76 26 18 14 13.5 18

Soil specimens were prepared by statically compacting moist soil having predetermined water content
into a cylindrical split mold having 100 mm diameter. The soil volume was constant (100 mm in diameter
and 20 mm high) and its weight was varied so that identical dry densities could be obtained from soil
having different water contents. Table 2 shows the initial conditions of the soil specimens. As shown in
table 2, specimens are categorized in four groups, having certain initial water content and testing
procedure.

5 Testing Procedure
A series of tests was conducted to study the pore pressures (or suction), volume change, and shear behavior of the
soil samples with anisotropic consolidation pressure. In these tests, the soil samples with some pre-defined
conditions in terms of initial water content and dry density were prepared. As direct measurement of suction is not
possible for values lower than negative 101 kPa, the axis translation technique (Hilf, 1956) can be applied.
Using this method, both Pore air and pore water pressure are translated by an equal amount to positive values.
Each specimen was mounted on the pedestal and left in the cell until the pore-water pressure measured through the
ceramic disk stabilized. This period varied between 12 to 24 h for different samples. No attempt was made to
change the moisture content of the specimens during this period. Hence, the water contents of the samples at
suction equilibrium and prior to loading were identical to the initial water contents given in Table 2. The
specimen was sheared at a rate of 0.0015 mm/min. All samples belonging to a group had identical initial
conditions. Specimen in-group "A" was initially saturated and then sheared. Specimens belonging to group "B" had
identical initial conditions but their mean net reassure was different. These specimens were subjected to three
unloading-reloading cycles at shear strains of 5%, 10%, and 15%. At the end of the test (20% shear strain), the
specimens were saturated and the amount of collapse deformation and the change in shearing force during
saturation was measured. Specimens of group "C" also had identical initial conditions but saturated during the test at
a different shearing strain. Specimens belonging to group "D" had Different initial water contents and different net
mean pressure and saturated during the test at a different shearing strain. The shearing rate was selected based on
previous experience on unsaturated soil tests, as well as the pore-water pressure response of the ceramic
disk. From the applied air pressure and the pore water pressure measured through the ceramic disk, the suction
values were obtained. The saturation process under constant applied stress was fulfilled by allowing water to enter
the soil specimens via the high permeability annular porous stone and applying a small water pressure of 10 kPa.
Saturating the soil specimens using this procedure reduced the suction pressure to a negligible amount and shearing
force dropped rapidly.

6 Test Results
Results of all simple shear tests on the soil specimens tabulated in Table 2 are presented in Figures 2-4.
As expected, the specimens with lower initial water content showed a stiffer response, higher initial
matric suction, more deformation during saturation, and more reduction in shear strength when
saturated.

2014
 Shear strain (%)
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
70 0
US2 US2
60
Shear stress (kPa)

US1

Volumetric strain (%)

50 -1 US1
USC6
40 USC5 USC6
USC4 -2 USC5
30
20 USC3 USC4
USC2 -3
10 USC3
USC1
0 -4 USC2
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 USC1
Shear strain (%) -5

Shear strain (%)

500 0 5 10 15 20 25 30
US2
0
US1
Matric suction (kPa)

400 US2
USC6 -1
US1
300

Axial strain (%)

USC5 -2 USC6
200 USC4 -3 USC5
USC3 -4 USC4
100 USC2
-5 USC3
USC1 USC2
0 -6
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 USC1
-7
Shear strain (%)

Figure 2. Variation of shear stress, volumetric strain, matric suction

and axial strain versus shear strain for loading and saturation

50 120
US6
Shear stress (kPa)

100 RS3
Shear stress (kPa)

40
US5 80
30
US4 60 RS2
20
US3 40
10 20 RS1
SS1
0
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 0 5 10 15 20
Shear strain (%) Shear strain (%)

Shear strain (%) Shear strain (%)

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 0 5 10 15 20
1 0
0 US6
Volumetric strain (%)

Volumetric strain (%)

-1 -1 RS3
-2 US5
-2
-3
US4 -3 RS2
-4
-5 US3 -4
-6
-7 -5 RS1
SS1
-8 -6

Shear strain (%) Shear strain (%)

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 0 5 10 15 20
1 0
0 US6
-1 -1 RS3
Axial strain (%)

Axial strain (%)

-2 US5 -2
-3
-4 US4 -3 RS2
-5
-6 -4
US3
-7 -5 RS1
-8 SS1
-9 -6

Figure 3. Variation of shear stress, volumetric strain Figure 4. Variation of shear stress, volumetric
and axial strain versus shear strain for unloading and strain and axial strain versus shear strain for
reloading cases loading and saturation cases

2015
7 Hyperbolic Model
The generalized Hook’s law may be used to model the stress strain behavior of nonlinear problems in each increment
as follow:

 4 2 
Gt + Bt − Gt + Bt 0
 ∆σ x   3  
  ∆ε x 
3 (1)
   2 4
 ∆σ y  = − Gt + Bt Gt + Bt 0   ∆ε y 
∆τ   3 3  
 xy   0 0 Gt  ∆γ xy 
 

Where Bt and Gt are tangential bulk and shear modulus of unsaturated soil ∆γxy, ∆εy, ∆εx are incremental strain and,
∆τxy, ∆σy, ∆σx are incremental stress values.

Table 2. Initial condition of the soil specimens

Mean net Shearing Deviatoric
Water Air pressure Cell pressure
sample Pressure stain at stress Test condition
content (ua) (σ3)
(σm-ua) saturation (σ1- σ3)
kPa % % kPa kPa kPa

Group A
SS1 166.7 24.8 0 50 0 100 Initially saturated
Group B
RS1 56.7 10 - 50 60 100 unloading - reloading
RS2 173.3 10 16 100 60 200 unloading - reloading
RS3 290 10 19.2 150 60 300 unloading - reloading
Group C
USC1 33.3 10 7.85 25 425 450 loading - saturation
USC2 33.3 10 14.5 25 425 450 loading - saturation

USC3 33.3 10 18.1 25 425 450 loading - saturation

USC4 33.3 12 11.5 25 425 450 loading - saturation
USC5 33.3 12 20.25 25 425 450 loading - saturation
USC6 33.3 14.7 21 25 425 450 loading - saturation
Group D
US1 56.7 8 - 50 60 100 loading - saturation
US2 103.3 8 - 100 130 200 loading - saturation
US3 56.7 16 5.5 50 60 100 loading - saturation
US4 56.7 16 9.85 50 60 100 loading - saturation
US5 56.7 16 16.85 50 60 100 loading - saturation
US6 116.7 14 16.85 50 80 180 loading - saturation

The elastic parameters Bt and Gt vary as a function of the current stress state (Duncan and Chang 1970). Fitting the
stress state behavior with a hyperbola will give these elastic parameters. In Dancan and Chang model, variation of
deviatoric stress with shear strain defined as a hyperbolic function. The elastic parameter, Bt, for unsaturated soils is
given by Habibagahi and Mokberi (1998) as

2
 σ m − ua 
Bt = K Bw Pa w − k1
1 +  (2)
 K Bw Pa w − k1 ε u 

where εu is asymptotic value of the volumetric strain at large stresses; k1 is the initial tangent bulk modulus exponent;
KBw is a nondimensional bulk modulus number; (σm-ua) mean net pressure; Pa is atmospheric pressure; and w is initial
water content of soil. Based on their proposed model the amount of collapse deformation may be calculated using the
following relationship:

2016
  
 
 K Bw Pa w (σ m − ua ) 
− k1 −1
(3)
(∆ε v )collapse =  2 
∆w
  (σ m − ua ) − k1  
  ε + K Bw Pa w  
 u  

8 Proposed hyperbolic model for shear modulus of unsaturated soils

As it can be seen in the Figures 2-4, the stress strain behavior of all unsaturated specimens follow a
hyperbolic equation of the form
γ
τ= (4)
1 γ
+
Gmax τ max

Where τ is shear stress; γ is shear strain; Gmax initial shear modulus; τmax is the asymptotic value of the shear stress at
large values of shear strains. Gmax and τmax are unsaturated soil parameters and their amount may differ from one
type of unsaturated soil to another.
As indicated on Figure 5, the hyperbolic parameters. τmax and Gmax can be determined the slope and intercept of a
plot of τ versus γ based on the test results on four different set of soil specimens, and applying the above –
γ
mentioned procedure values of Gmax and τmax, were determined.

max , r
Shear stress,

1
Gmax 1
+ 1
G max Gmax max
1 max
1
Gmax 1

Shear strain,
Shear strain,
a) hyperbolic model b)linear form of hyperbolic model

Figure 5. hyperbolic model for stress strain behavior of unsaturated soils

Figure 6 indicates variation of Gmax as a function of mean net pressure and critical water content.
Based on these results, variation of initial shear modulus G max as a function of mean pressure and water
content is represented by:
σ m − ua w −k3
Gmax = kGwPa ( ) k2 ( ) (6)
Pa ws

Where w, is water content; w s , is water content of saturated soil; of (σm - ua ) is mean net pressure; Pa ,
atmospheric pressure; k2 and k3 are the initial tangent shear moduli exponents; kGw , is a nondimensional
shear modulus number. These parameters could be determined by curve fitting method. Figure 7 shows of
variation of G max versus (σm - ua ) and w in three dimensional Cartesian coordinates for the soil tested.

2017
 5000 4000

Initial shear modulus, kPa

173 kPa
Initial shear modulus, kPa W =8% 3500
4000 w=10%
(σm-ua) 103 kPa
3000
56 kPa
w=12% 2500
3000 33 kPa
W =24.8%
2000
2000 1500
1000
1000 500
0
0
5 10 15 20 25
0 50 100 150 200 250 300
Water content (%)
Mean net pressure, kPa

Figure 6. variations of Gmax versus (σm - ua ) for Figure 7. variations of G max versus water content
different values of water content for different values of (σm - ua )

Figure 8.Variation of G max versus and W in three-dimensional coordinate (σm - ua ) system

G max may be related to the tangential shear modulus, G t , as follow

Gt τ 2 (7)
= (1− )
Gmax τ max

In equation 4 the variable, τmax is the asymptotic value of shear stress. Shear strength at the failure may
be determined by multiplying τmax by R f factor as follow

τ xy = Rf τ max (8)

Using Mohr circle as illustrated in figure 7 we can determine the following equation

σ xx −σ yy σ xx +σ yy
(
2
) f + (τ xy ) f = (
2 2

2
[
) f sin(ϕ) + c′ + (ua − uw ) tan(ϕb ) cos(ϕ) ] (9)

Where (τ xy ) f is the shear stress at failure σ xx and σ yy are specimen stresses in x and y directions

respectively; c' and ϕ are cohesion and angle of internal friction of unsaturated soil respectively.
b

Figure 9 shows the variations of matric suction versus water content (Soil water characteristic curve) for
the range of suction values imposed on soil samples.

2018
 xx

( )
)
xy max

yy
ta n (
= c* +
b
c*=c'(u a-u b)tan(
c*
)
xy max
3 xx yy
1

Initial Mohr circle

Mohr circle at failour

Figure 9 . Mohr circle stress state

20
Water content, %

15

10

0
10 100 1000
Matric suction, kPa

Figure10. Variation of (ua – uw ) versus water content

The following relationship was used to fit the soil water characteristic curve:

w
− k4
ua − u w = kuw Pa e ws
(10)

From Equation 4, variation of shear stress may be written as follow

τ = f (γ ,Gmax,τmax) (11)

So the variation of the shear stress function may be determined as follow

∆τ ∂f ∆γ ∂f ∆(Gmax) ∂f ∆(τ max)

= + + (12)
∆w ∂γ ∆w ∂Gmax ∆w ∂τ max ∆w

∆Gmax − k3 σ −u w
= kGwPa ( m a )k2 ( )−k3 −1 (13)
∆w w3 Pa ws
If there are no variation in amounts of mean stress, vertical stress and shear strain, and only the amount
of water content changes, then using equations 6-9 and 12 and by derivation and simplification equation
10 the following equations may be determined
∆τ max 1 k −k ( w )
= −( ) Pa 4 kuwe 4 ws tan(ϕ b ) (14)
∆w Rf ws

And finally the amount of variation of shear resistance and due to a change in water content may be
determined as follow

2019
  1 k −k ( w ) 
 ( ) Pa 4 R f kuw tan(ϕ b )e 4 ws 
k3 Rf ws ∆w
∆τ collapse = ∆τ = −τ 2  + 
(15)
γwGmax τ max
2
 
 

So, based on these results, the equations of proposed model for unsaturated soils may be determined.
The parameters of the model and their corresponding values for the tested soil are tabulated in Table 3.

Table 3. The parameters of proposed model and their values for the tested soil

C φ φb Ws
parameter K2 K3 K4 KGw Kuw Rf
(kPa) (degre) (degree) (%)

value 0.5 23.5 4.8 0.332 0.826 8.85 11.85 139 0.91 24.8

9 Summary and conclusion

A hyperbolic model was proposed for stress strain behavior of unsaturated soils using the results of a
series of simple shear tests performed on a new simple shear apparatus. The incremental form of
Hook's law was suggested in which tangential bulk and shear modulus of unsaturated soil are
characterized as the main variables. Recent investigation on volume change behavior of unsaturated soils
Habibagahi and Mokhberi (1998) formulated the changes of bulk modulus due to any change in amount
of water content and other variables. Shear modulus of unsaturated soils was investigated and its
relationship to changes of water content and other variables were obtained. The hyperbolic parameters,
Tmax and G max were determined based on the test results on four different set of soil specimens.
Variations of matric suction versus water content (Soil water characteristic curve) was determined using
the apparatus for the range of suction values imposed on soil samples.

The model had 10 parameters. These parameters and their corresponding values for the tested soil were
determined and tabulated. Using the model, the value of collapse deformation and reduction in shearing
strength of soils can be calculated according to any change in degree of saturation. The Experiments
were performed on soil specimens having water contents in a range of 8% to 16%. Since the dry
densities of all specimens were identical, similar experimental works with different values of dry density
may be performed to determine the effect of changes in dry density and void ratio.

The model has some shortcomings. To derive more comprehensive model, farther research work is
needed in the following areas:
1) The proposed model is applicable to stress paths that imply a monotonic increase in the degree of
saturation. Research work is encouraged to include the moisture hysteresis effect.
2) The method of measurement of volume change in tests would be modified to achieve better
accuracies in the measurements of air and water volume of specimens.
3) For practical applications it will be helpful to establish range of variation of model parameters for
different soil types.

10 References
Terzaghi, K.,1936, The shear strength of saturated soils, Proc. 1St Int. Conf. Soil Mech. Found. Eng. (Cambridge, MA), V. 1, pp. 54-
56.
Bishop, A. W.,1957,Some factors controlling the pore pressures set up during the construction of earth dams., Fourth International
Conference on soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, V. 2, pp. 294-300.
Bishop, A.W., 1959, The Principle of Effective Stress, Technisk Ukeflad, No.39.
Matyas, E. L, and Radhakrishna, H. S., 1968, Volume change characteristics of partially saturated soils, Geotechnique, V.18, No. 4,
pp. 432-446.
Fredlund, D. G., and Morgenstern, N. R., 1976, Constitutive relations for volume change in unsaturated soils., Canadian
Geotechnical Journal, V. 13, No. 3, pp.261-276.
Lloret, A. and Alonso, E. E., 1980,Consolidation of unsaturated soils including swelling and collapse behavior., Geotechnique, V.

2020
 30(4), pp.449-477.
Duncan, J. M. and Chang, C.Y., 1970,Nonlinear analysis of stress and strain in soils, Journal of Soil Mechanics and Foundation
Division, ASCE, V. 96(5), pp. 1629-1653.
Habibagahi, G., Mokhberi, M., 1998, A hyperbolic model for volume change behavior of collapsible soils, Can. Geotech. J., V.35, pp.
264-272.
Rahnema, A., 2003, Simple shear behavior of unsaturated soils (in Farsi), Ph.D. Thesis, Dept. of Civil Engg. Shiraz University,
Shiraz, Iran.
Rahnema, A., Habibagahi, G., and Ghahramani, A., 2003,A new simple shear apparatus for testing unsaturated soils, Iranian
Journal of Science and Technology.
Hilf, J.W.,1956, An investigation of pore water pressure in compacted cohesive soils, US Bureau of Reclamation, Technical Memo.
654, Denver, Colorado.

2021