Conductivité hydraulique et progression du front de dessiccation dans une argilite

The “Schistes carton” formation is highly overconsolidated and hardened in its intact form. The variations of hydraulic and/or mechanical stresses on this material lead to an alteration as well as a change in its mechanical properties. Experiments have been carried out to study the advancement of the desiccation front and the hydraulic conductivity of this unsaturated soil. The samples are from Pont-à-Mousson Lorraine. The evolution of the volumetric water content versus the depth and the variations of the hydraulic conductivity have permitted the estimation of the alteration depth in this formation.