Moisture Curve of Compacted Clay: Mercury Intrusion Method

This study presents procedures with which one can predict the equilibrium water content, in-service, of a clayey pavement subgrade. Mercury intrusion and pore-size distribution of a specimen of the soil at the in-service fabric are utilized to establish the soil moisture characteristic curve. The procedures are relatively quick, reasonably routine, and reproduceable. Predictions are believed reliable for sites where the soil water suctions are in excess of 500 cm (16 ft) of water depending upon the soil.