Cracking in drying soils

Abstract

Cracking in soils that are undergoing drying is controlled by soil suctions and by soil properties such as compression modulus, Poisson's ratio, shear strength, tensile strength, and specific surface energy. The paper reviews the occurrence and morphology of cracks in dry-climate regions of Australia and Canada. After reviewing the behaviour of unsaturated soils and the mechanics of cracking, solutions are developed based on (i) elasticity theory, (ii) the transition between tensile and shear failure, and (iii) linear elastic fracture mechanics. The solutions are compared and related to crack depths observed in the field. Key words : clay, cracks, crust, shear strength, soil suction, tensile strength, unsaturated soil, weathering.