Abstract
The effects of desiccation on deterioration and the decay of strength are investigated using an unweathered diatomaceous mudstone. Unconfined compressive strength and splitting tensile strength are measured for 333 specimens prepared as follows ; (1) drying from an unweathered state, (2) wetting from a dried state, (3) applying the repetition of a certain type of drying-wetting process, and (4) applying the repetition of various types of drying-wetting process. Experimental results show that the strength reduction caused by the drying-wetting process depends on the degree of desiccation. The final strength is found to be a function only of the highest degree of desiccation that the specimen has ever experienced during the past drying-wetting process.
