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<p>Cyclic wetting and drying alters the rock fabric, leading to a greater potential for volume increase. This study compares the results of conventional and cyclic wetting–drying oedometer tests on Opalinus Clay specimens. In the conventional tests, the load was reduced stepwise after equilibrium of pressure and strain had been reached. The cyclic tests were performed under two conditions: controlled load and controlled deformation. In both approaches, repeated moisture changes affected the material response and increased its expansion potential. The experimental results demonstrate that cyclic wetting strongly affects the stress–strain relationship (swelling curve), producing deformations more than twice those observed in conventional tests. Based on these findings, a new testing procedure is proposed to accelerate the estimation of the swelling curve while providing comparable and conservative estimates. Whereas conventional test methods may require months to years, the proposed approach delivers engineering parameters within weeks to a few months and better reflects in&#xa0;situ conditions in geotechnical construction projects.</p><p><b>Highlights</b><UnorderedList Mark="Bullet"> <ItemContent> <p>Standard and cyclic wetting and drying oedometer swelling tests were conducted on Opalinus clay specimens.</p> </ItemContent> <ItemContent> <p>Cyclic wetting–drying significantly increases swelling strains and alters the stress–strain relationship.</p> </ItemContent> <ItemContent> <p>Swelling deformation in cyclic tests was more than twice that observed in conventional tests, reflecting progressive fabric degradation.</p> </ItemContent> <ItemContent> <p>A modified testing procedure is proposed to reduce the time required&#xa0;to determine the swelling strain–stress relationship while preserving the same maximum swelling pressure.</p> </ItemContent> <ItemContent> <p>The method involves drying specimens between wetting steps and applying new stress or deformation levels, providing a slightly steeper slope for a conservative estimate.</p> </ItemContent> </UnorderedList></p>

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Oedometer Rock Swelling Tests Under Standard and Cyclic Conditions and a Modified Approach for Estimating the Swelling Curve

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月20日

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  • Maximiliano R. Vergara,
  • Jens Christian Schneider,
  • Hans Henning Stutz

摘要

Cyclic wetting and drying alters the rock fabric, leading to a greater potential for volume increase. This study compares the results of conventional and cyclic wetting–drying oedometer tests on Opalinus Clay specimens. In the conventional tests, the load was reduced stepwise after equilibrium of pressure and strain had been reached. The cyclic tests were performed under two conditions: controlled load and controlled deformation. In both approaches, repeated moisture changes affected the material response and increased its expansion potential. The experimental results demonstrate that cyclic wetting strongly affects the stress–strain relationship (swelling curve), producing deformations more than twice those observed in conventional tests. Based on these findings, a new testing procedure is proposed to accelerate the estimation of the swelling curve while providing comparable and conservative estimates. Whereas conventional test methods may require months to years, the proposed approach delivers engineering parameters within weeks to a few months and better reflects in situ conditions in geotechnical construction projects.

Highlights

Standard and cyclic wetting and drying oedometer swelling tests were conducted on Opalinus clay specimens.

Cyclic wetting–drying significantly increases swelling strains and alters the stress–strain relationship.

Swelling deformation in cyclic tests was more than twice that observed in conventional tests, reflecting progressive fabric degradation.

A modified testing procedure is proposed to reduce the time required to determine the swelling strain–stress relationship while preserving the same maximum swelling pressure.

The method involves drying specimens between wetting steps and applying new stress or deformation levels, providing a slightly steeper slope for a conservative estimate.