IL COMPORTAMENTO DI SUOLI AGRARI RIGONFIABILI

The feature of single domains of a shrinkage curve (ShC) for a swelling soil are recalled. The relationship between ShC and water retention curve (WRC) with special reference to the findings of Boiven, Garnier and Vauclin are shown and a short comment is given for the case of the basic domain. The contribution of the soil swelling process to the distribution of the total mechanical stress between solid and liquid phase according to a load factor is recalled for field conditions. Special attention is given to the cracking problems using the transformations of Bronswijk and Chertkov and after the theories of Yule and Ritchie and of Mc Intyre. Some considerations are expressed for the use of oedometers. The results of Cabidoche and Ruy on a cultivated vertisol open the possibility of a wider approach to these problems.