Abstract: Due to its distinct characteristics of instantaneity and abruptness, the stress variation characteristics of unsaturated soil under impact loads significantly differ from those under static and conventional dynamic loads. To investigate the spatial stress state under impact loads, in-situ testing was conducted on an unsaturated soil roadbed using three-dimensional stress testing technology. The three-dimensional soil pressure cells were set at depths of 0.3 m and 0.6 m below the ground surface. Continuous vertical impact loads were applied at the ground projection of the buried points. Stress testing data was collected in real time, and stress transformation methods were applied to obtain the corresponding three-dimensional stress, principal stresses, and the evolution of principal directions. Based on this, a comparison was made with existing one-dimensional stress testing methods and results, further illustrating the rationality and scientific validity of three-dimensional stress testing. The testing data revealed that under impact loads, the stress component in the impact direction (i.e., the z-axis direction) shows a notable instantaneous increase with a positive increment, whereas the increment of positive stress in the y-direction is negative. The principal stress direction angles α、β, and γ undergo considerable deviations during the impact. Specifically, α  varies within a 90º range, whileβ  and γ   rapidly decrease from their initial values to their supplements. Moreover, all three directional angles experience multiple reciprocating changes within a single impact duration. This research has theoretical significance in deepening the understanding of stress response and evolution processes in unsaturated soils under impact loads, providing valuable references for constitutive models, engineering design, and construction research related to seismic or other impact loadings.

Key words: in-situ test, impact load, three-dimensional stress test, principal stress, principal direction