Experimental results obtained from the cyclic compaction tests perform
ed on various particulate materials like, for example, sand, lead shot
, rice, wheat, flour and bentonite are presented and discussed. Experi
ments were performed in a standard Bishop-type oedometer with addition
al measurement of lateral stresses. Samples of experimental material w
ere subjected to repeated loading and unloading cycles for a prescribe
d vertical loading history. Corresponding vertical deformation and lat
eral stresses histories were recorded. An extensive discussion of expe
rimental data is focused on the phenomenon of compaction and related p
henomenon of compaction induced lateral stresses. It is shown that the
behaviour of various particulate materials displays some common featu
res which may be included into a more general theoretical framework. C
onstitutive equations that describe both cyclic compaction and compact
ion induced lateral stresses are proposed. The equations are based on
the concept of common curves that may be recognized as an independent
characteristic of the material.