A Review of Cracking Behavior and Mechanism in Clayey Soils Related to Desiccation

Figure 4

Schematic drawing of soil crack initiation process. (a) Initial fully saturated soil; (b) water-air interface meniscus developed between soil particles; (c) capillary suction between soil particles; (d) tensile stress developed in the upper layer; and (e) surface crack initiated [6].