Compacted materials are fundamentally unsaturated soils whose behaviour can be expansive or collapsible depending upon changes in water content or stresses. Their behaviour is strongly dependent on matric suction, water content, and stress history. This paper presents a methodology for investigating the stress/strain, and suction/water content paths during one dimensional compaction of unsaturated soils. It focuses on anisotropic behaviour. The testing program was carried out in an automated oedometer apparatus that allows measurement of axial strain, radial and axial stresses, suction, and water content during tests. The laboratory component used in this study involves kaolin compacted with different water contents. After compaction, the soil was subjected to wetting while the volumetric changes and stress paths were being examined.