Discussion 'Modified Null Pressure Plate Apparatus for Measurement of Matric Suction' by Power, K. C. and Vanapalli, S. K.

摘要

The authors presented an interesting paper on a modified null pressure plate for matric suction measurement. The discussers have also worked on a similar system shown in Fig. 1 (Leong et al. 2009) and wish to share our experiences. The null pressure plate apparatuses by Olson and Langfelder (1965) and Fredlund and Rahardjo (1993) are similar with a pressure transducer and a flushing port at the base of the apparatus. The null pressure plate apparatus shown by the authors in Fig. 1 of their paper already contains their modification where the pressure transducer is replaced with a water tube. For clarity, the null pressure plate from Fredlund and Rahardjo (1993) is shown in Fig. 2. In Leong et al. (2009), the null pressure plate apparatus is similar in design to Olson and Langfelder (1965) and Fredlund and Rahardjo (1993), except that the operation is automated using an active control system.