Influence of water content on compressibility of cohesive dump soils — results of studies on samples of modeled lump size distribution

The studies focused on fragmented clayey soils, which are classified as second-type fragmented substances characterized by a multistorey structure and double porosity. The unstable structure of this substance makes it highly vulnerable to the influence of external factors, particularly changes of water content. The studies enabled the author to evaluate the influence of water content on changes of compressibility parameters and on the character of stress–strain relationships. Differences were emphasized in the behaviour of fragmented clayey soils in comparison to local soils. In author’s opinion, the studied samples are a good representation of overburdened soils (dump soils), and the regularities found in this study can be readily applied to them.