Abstract

While site investigation data is typically focused on the spatial variability for site characterisation, those properties may change with time. Temporal variability needs to be considered in the design and construction of roads and high-level foundations. Seasonal variation occurs in the active zone and long-term changes occur 2 to 5 years after construction using expansive clay materials in adverse climate conditions. The latter may occur below the zone of seasonal variation. A case study for seasonal changes in subgrade strength at an uncovered test site when tested at 5 different times of the year. Measurement accounted for 30% of the variation, while temporal and spatial variation accounted for an additional 30% variation over the 1-year period of testing. An appropriate probability distribution function (PDF) is required for characteristic values. Constructing embankments to the equilibrium moisture content (EMC) is more important than the optimum moisture content (OMC), which is a short-term construction expedient. Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) probes were used to monitor embankment moisture changes over a 4-year period for a new road construction on expansive clays. This included 1) an existing 30-year-old embankment during the project planning phase, 2) a trial embankment during design, and 3) the new constructed roadway embankments. All demonstrated the importance of understanding the EMC when expansive clays are being used for embankment construction. Results in other climatic environments are compared. The results show subgrade CBR tested at OMC is meaningless for such soils and in those extreme climates.