A special thank you to my husband, Fernando Fonterrada, for his love and constant support during our entire life. Without him, anything would be a waste of time. To my kids, Yasmim and Kaike, I say: I love you! Thank you for all happiness you have given me.A great honor to be the daughter of my parents, Elza and Julio Tsugawa. Thank you for your strength and resilience.Many thanks to Professor Dr. Rafael Giuliano Pileggi for opening his laboratory to me. The experiments were an essential and innovative part of the research. Thank you for the classes and discussions; they were helpful and clarifying. Also, I recognize Dr. Roberto Cesar de Oliveira Romano for his countless availability throughout all investigations. I am grateful for the sincerity and friendship of Professor Dr. Krishna Reddy from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). Thank you for welcoming me to your laboratory. The time in Chicago was unforgettable and fundamental for my research. Thanks to Prof. Paulo Scarano Hemsi from the Aeronautics Institute of Technology (ITA), who has collaborated with the research group since my master's dissertation. To the technicians, Mr. Antonio Heitzman and Mrs. Valdineia dos Santos Silva, my admiration and respect. Thank you for the moments at the Laboratory of Soil Mechanics Milton Vargas (LMS). All of them I will bring with me forever. Prof. Sérgio Cirelli Ângulo, thank you for your didactic, knowledge, and availability for the conversations about sampling. The organizing method you have taught in the innovation classes was crucial for my thesis structuring. Wandrea Dantas, I am grateful for your tireless dedication to the graduate students. Without your work, nothing could be done, and fewer students would reach their dreams. Renata Monte, thank you for the opportunity to work together. I hope for another chance in the future. Rosangela Alves, many thanks for your support. Without you, my internship at the UIC could not have been done. Thanks for all undergraduate and graduate students who helped me to perform the experimental program during the research: