The process of submerging the specimens for 24 h before the
unconfined compression tests was found to be satisfactory to ensure
a high and repeatable degree of saturation. An average degree
of saturation of 87% was obtained, irrespective of the initial
porosity or cement content. The values of suction measured were
low with values ranging from about 41– 124 kPa with an average
of around 87 kPa. These measurements were made on the
samples after failure in the unconfined compression tests and are
therefore likely to be an overestimate because there may have
been a slight drying of the sample during the few minutes from
the start of the test until the measurement was made. The samples
would also have had a strong dilative tendency after peak, as will
be shown for the triaxial test data, which would also have caused
an increase in the measured suction. The suctions in the samples
at the peak strength are therefore likely to be insignificant relative