Abstract
Laboratory tests presented tremendous effects to reduce surface tension on mechanical behaviors of unsaturated soil masses. Surfactants are noted for capable to reduce the surface tension, thereby diminishing the gas-liquid interfacial forces and the nonionic class not to receive the influence of soil particle electric charges. The potential of soil water test and unconfined compression test of unsaturated soil that is compacted by using nonionic surfactant solutions were carried out. The results of experiments showed that the optimum moisture content, soil suction and unconfined compressive strength decrease in proportion to decreases in surface tension and the compaction density increases conversely. As a application the obtained results are useful to development of rapid compaction methods.
