scholarly journals Soil-Water Characteristics of the Low Liquid Limit Silt considering Compaction and Freeze-Thaw Action

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Yongsheng Yao ◽  
Shenping Luo ◽  
Junfeng Qian ◽  
Jue Li ◽  
Hongbin Xiao
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Testing Machine ◽  
Initial Moisture Content ◽  
Reference Value ◽  
Matric Suction ◽  
Liquid Limit ◽  
Freeze Thaw ◽  
Water Characteristics ◽  
Thaw Cycle

The soil-water characteristic curve of silty soil in seasonal frozen area during freezing-thawing process was studied in this study. By means of a laboratory test, specimens with different compaction degrees and different initial moisture content were prepared and put into the temperature change testing machine for freeze-thaw action. The influence of different degrees of compaction and different times of freeze-thaw action on SWCC of low liquid limit silt was analyzed, a V-G model was used to fit the test data, and a set of fitting parameters with a reference value was obtained. At the same time, the change of microstructure between soil particles during the freezing-thawing cycle is illustrated. The results showed that with the same water content and the same compactness, the matric suction of the test soil decreased with the increase of freeze-thaw cycles. For the same number of freeze-thaw cycles, the greater the compactness, the greater the matric suction of the soil. The V-G model can well represent the SWCC of low liquid limit silt during the freeze-thaw cycle.

Measurement of Soil Suction and Soil-Water Characteristics of Bentonite-Sand Mixtures

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pan Hu ◽  
Qing Yang ◽  
Maotian Luan
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Vapor Phase ◽  
Unsaturated Soils ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Phase Method ◽  
Soil Suction ◽  
Compacted Bentonite ◽  
Water Characteristics ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
High Level

The soil-water characteristic curve (SWCC) is a widely used experimental means for assessing fundamental properties of unsaturated soils for a wide range of soil suction values. The study of SWCC is helpful because some properties of unsaturated soils can be predicted from it. Nowadays, much attention has been paid to the behaviours of highly compacted bentonite-sand mixtures used in engineering barriers for high level radioactive nuclear waste disposal. It is very important to study the various performances of bentonite-sand mixtures in order to insure the safety of high-level radioactive waste (HLW) repository. After an introduction to vapor phase method and osmotic technique, a laboratory study has been carried out on compacted bentonite-sand mixtures. The SWCC of bentonite-sand mixtures has been obtained and analyzed. The results show that the vapor phase method and osmotic technique is suitable to the unsaturated soils with high and low suction.

A relationship describing the shear strength of unsaturated soils

1999 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 363-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daud W Rassam ◽  
David J Williams
Keyword(s):  
Shear Strength ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Nonlinear Regression ◽  
Unsaturated Soils ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Matric Suction ◽  
Linear Increase ◽  
Soil Water Characteristic Curve ◽  
Stress Dependent

A relationship describing the shear-strength profile of a desiccating soil deposit is essential for the purpose of analysis, especially when a numerical method is adopted where each zone in a discretised grid is assigned an elevation-dependent shear-strength value. The matric-suction profile of a desiccating soil deposit is nonlinear. Up to the air-entry value, an increase in matric suction is associated with a linear increase in shear strength. Beyond air entry, as the soil starts to desaturate, a nonlinear increase in shear strength occurs. The soil-water characteristic curve is stress dependent, as is the shear-strength gain as matric suction increases. In this paper, a three-dimensional, nonlinear regression analysis showed that a power-additive function is suitable to describe the variation of the shear strength of unsaturated soils with matric suction. The proposed function incorporates the effect of normal stress on the contribution of matric suction to the shear strength.Key words: air-entry value, matric suction, nonlinear regression, soil-water characteristic curve, tailings, unsaturated shear strength.

Soil-water characteristics of compacted sandy and cemented soils with and without vegetation

2015 ◽  
Vol 52 (9) ◽  
pp. 1331-1344 ◽  
Author(s):  
W.M. Yan ◽  
Guanghui Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Pore Water Pressure ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Degree Of Saturation ◽  
Material Density ◽  
Water Characteristics ◽  
Field And Laboratory Conditions ◽  
Humidity Monitoring

Experiments were undertaken to study the soil-water characteristics of compacted sandy soil (SS) and cemented soil (CS) in field and laboratory conditions. The influence of vegetation and material density on the development of negative pore-water pressure (PWP) and degree of saturation (Sr) in the studied materials was investigated. The field planting experiments demonstrated a promising survival rate of Schefflera heptaphylla in both types of material, while the (SS) promoted better growth of the seedlings than the cemented one. In the field study, PWP and Sr of the compacted SS responded noticeably and promptly to natural drying–wetting cycles. However, the responses in the CS were relatively mild. When subjected to the same drying–wetting cycles, PWP responded more slowly and to a smaller magnitude compared with that of the uncemented counterpart. In addition, Sr changed little in CS. An increase in the density of the SS promoted rapid development of negative PWP, while an opposite trend was observed for CS. Attempts have been made to explain the observations from the perspectives of material permeability and change in water content during a drying period in both soil types. Furthermore, in SS, the development of PWP (with a measurement limit of −90 kPa) was minimally affected by the presence of vegetation, while vegetation noticeably helped the development of negative PWP in CS. Bounds of the soil-water characteristic curve (SWCCs) of the studied materials were presented based on estimates from the drying and wetting scanning curves derived from the field monitoring. A corresponding laboratory study was carried out in an environmental chamber with controllable temperature and humidity. Monitoring results from the laboratory agreed qualitatively with those obtained from the field.

Soil-water characteristic curve and consolidation behavior for a compacted silt

2007 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 266-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trinh Minh Thu ◽  
Harianto Rahardjo ◽  
Eng-Choon Leong
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Volume Change ◽  
Unsaturated Soils ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Matric Suction ◽  
Confining Stress ◽  
Soil Water Characteristic Curve ◽  
Triaxial Cell ◽  
Isotropic Consolidation

Measurement of the soil-water characteristic curve (SWCC) in the laboratory is commonly conducted under zero confining pressure. However, in the field, the soil is under a confining stress. Therefore, it is important to study the effects of the confining stress on SWCC. In addition, the consolidation curve is normally generated under saturated conditions. However, the soil above the water table is usually unsaturated. Hence, it is also necessary to investigate the effects of matric suction on the characteristics of the consolidation curves. This paper presents the SWCCs under different net confining stresses and the isotropic consolidation curves under different matric suctions that describe the volume change characteristics of unsaturated soils with respect to stress state variables, net normal stress, and matric suction. A series of SWCCs was determined for statically compacted silt specimens in a triaxial cell apparatus under different net confining stresses. Isotropic consolidation tests under different matric suctions were also carried out. The results of the SWCC tests show that the air-entry value increased with increasing net confining stress. The yield points (i.e., yield suction, s0) obtained from the SWCC tests also increased with increasing net confining stress. The results of isotropic consolidation tests indicate the strong influence of matric suction on compressibility and stiffness of the compacted silt specimens.Key words: soil-water characteristic curve, isotropic consolidation, pore-water pressure, volume change, NTU mini suction probe, matric suction.

The Study of Correction Method for Soil-Water Characteristic Curve of Swelling-Shrinking Soil

2013 ◽  
Vol 712-715 ◽  
pp. 873-876
Author(s):  
Peng Du ◽  
Xiao Ling Liu ◽  
Xiao Ying Li
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Volume Fraction ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Correction Method ◽  
Matric Suction ◽  
Engineering Properties ◽  
Water Volume ◽  
Volume Deformation ◽  
Water Volume Fraction ◽  
The Relationship

The swelling-shrinking soil embodies the features of expanding when absorbing water and shrinking when drying out; its engineering properties are sensitive to water fluctuation. Mainstream test instruments of SWCC cannot accurately get its relationship between matric suction and water volume fraction. So a correction method based on the results of shrinkage test is carried out. The method is accomplished by using the volume deformation which is obtained in shrinkage test to calculate its real water volume fraction and then combining the results of SWCC test and finally constructing the relationship between matric suction and water volume fraction. Through real application, this method is proved to be feasible and essential.

scholarly journals SWCC of Calcareous Silty Sand Under Different Fines Contents and dry Densities

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian-Hua Shen ◽  
Ming-Jian Hu ◽  
Xing Wang ◽  
Chen-Yang Zhang ◽  
Dong-Sheng Xu
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Calcareous Soil ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Silty Sand ◽  
Dry Density ◽  
Pressure Plate ◽  
Geological Disasters ◽  
Water Characteristics ◽  
Water Holding ◽  
Plate Apparatus

Investigating the soil-water characteristics of calcareous soil has a great significance for preventing geological disasters on island-reefs as well as maintaining the foundation stability of hydraulic-filled island-reefs. In this study, calcareous silty sands with different fines contents and dry densities were studied to reveal their effects on the soil-water characteristics of calcareous soil on hydraulic-filled island-reefs. The soil-water characteristic curve (SWCC) of the calcareous silty sand was measured using a pressure plate apparatus. Taking into account the porous meso-structure, the effects of fines content and dry density on the SWCC of calcareous silty sand were analyzed, and the applicability of existing SWCC models to calcareous silty sand was verified. A SWCC model suitable for assessing soil-water characteristic of calcareous silty sand was proposed. Results of this study provide some reference for quantifying the water-holding capacity of calcareous silty sand.

scholarly journals Microstructure of Compacted Loess and Its Influence on the Soil-Water Characteristic Curve

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao Xie ◽  
Ping Li ◽  
Xiaokun Hou ◽  
Tonglu Li ◽  
Guowei Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Great Influence ◽  
Matric Suction ◽  
Constitutive Relationship ◽  
Wetting And Drying ◽  
Soil Water Characteristic Curve ◽  
High Suction ◽  
Water Contents ◽  
Compacted Loess

Soil-water characteristic curve (SWCC) is a key constitutive relationship for studying unsaturated soil, and as is known, microstructure of the soil has great influence on the mechanical behaviour of the soil. In this study, the wetting and drying soil-water characteristic curves (SWCCs) of loess compacted at three different water contents were measured using the filter paper method. And microproperties of compacted loess were obtained by the mercury intrusion method (MIP) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Results show that the compaction water contents have significant influence on the SWCC and microstructure. The pore size distribution (PSD) curves have great differences in macropore range and are similar in micropore range. Loess compacted at optimum and dry of optimum are generally connected, while there are certain number of nonintruded pores in loess compacted at wet of optimum. The SWCC curves vary significantly in low suction (ua − uw < 1000 kPa) and tend to converge together in high suction (ua − uw ≥ 1000 kPa). Hysteresis in the SWCCs is more obvious for loess compacted at optimum and dry of optimum in the matric suction of 0∼100 kPa; however, there is a pronounced hysteresis for loess compacted at wet of optimum in full matric suction range. The characteristic of the SWCCs including their hysteresis can be well interpreted from the loess microstructure.

scholarly journals The Effect of Willow (Salix sp.) on Soil Moisture and Matric Suction at a Slope Scale

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (23) ◽  
pp. 9789
Author(s):  
Alejandro Gonzalez-Ollauri ◽  
Slobodan B. Mickovski
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Matric Suction ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Hillslope Hydrology ◽  
Climatic Hazards ◽  
Fallow Soil

The aim of this study is to provide new knowledge on the effect of willow on hillslope hydrology at a slope scale. Soil moisture and matric suction were monitored in situ under willow-vegetated and fallow ground covers on a small-scale hillslope in Northeast Scotland for 21 months. The retrieved time series were analysed statistically to evaluate whether the dynamics of soil moisture and matric suction changed with the hillslope zone (i.e., toe, middle, and crest) under the two ground covers. The effect of air temperature and rainfall on the dynamics of soil moisture and matric suction, as well as the relationship between the two soil-water variables, under both ground covers, were also investigated by analysing the cross-correlation between time series. The results of 21 months of monitoring showed that willow contributed substantially to reduce soil moisture and to increase matric suction with respect to fallow soil. Additionally, willow-vegetated soil exhibited higher water retention and moisture buffering capacity than fallow soil. The effect of willow was highest at the hillslope toe due to a denser vegetation cover present within this zone. Both air temperature and rainfall had a strong effect on soil moisture and matric suction. However, the effect of air temperature was more consistent and easier to interpret than that of rainfall. Soil moisture and matric suction were shown to have a complex relationship and the soil water characteristic curve for vegetated soil requires further research. This study provides novel, field-based information supporting the positive effect of willow on hillslope hydrology. The results gathered herein will undoubtedly enhance the confidence of using woody vegetation in Nature-based Solutions (NBS) against geo-climatic hazards.

Model for the prediction of shear strength with respect to soil suction

1996 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 379-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
S K Vanapalli ◽  
D G Fredlund ◽  
D E Pufahl ◽  
A W Clifton
Keyword(s):  
Shear Strength ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Unsaturated Soil ◽  
Unsaturated Soils ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Matric Suction ◽  
Glacial Till ◽  
Soil Suction ◽  
Soil Water Characteristic Curve

Experimental studies on unsaturated soils are generally costly, time-consuming, and difficult to conduct. Shear strength data from the research literature suggests that there is a nonlinear increase in strength as the soil desaturates as a result of an increase in matric suction. Since the shear strength of an unsaturated soil is strongly related to the amount of water in the voids of the soil, and therefore to matric suction, it is postulated that the shear strength of an unsaturated soil should also bear a relationship to the soil-water characteristic curve. This paper describes the relationship between the soil-water characteristic curve and the shear strength of an unsaturated soil with respect to matric suction. Am empirical, analytical model is developed to predict the shear strength in terms of soil suction. The formulation makes use of the soil-water characteristic curve and the saturated shear strength parameters. The results of the model developed for predicting the shear strength are compared with experimental results for a glacial till. The shear strength of statically compacted glacial till specimens was measured using a modified direct shear apparatus. Specimens were prepared at three different water contents and densities (i.e., corresponding to dry of optimum, and wet of optimum conditions). Various net normal stresses and matric suctions were applied to the specimens. There is a good correlation between the predicted and measured values of shear strength for the unsaturated soil. Key words: soil-water characteristic curve, shear strength, unsaturated soil, soil suction, matric suction.

Effect of Compaction Degree on Soil-Water Characteristic Curve of Chongming Clay

2011 ◽  
Vol 90-93 ◽  
pp. 701-706
Author(s):  
Jing Song Qian ◽  
Hang Lu
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Filter Paper ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Liquid Limit ◽  
Degree Of Saturation ◽  
Paper Test ◽  
Soil Water Characteristic Curve ◽  
Gravimetric Water Content ◽  
Compaction Degree

The soil-water characteristic defines the relationship between the soil suction and gravimetric water content, w, or the volumetric water content, θ, or the degree of saturation, S. It is a convenient method to predict water content in the subgrade using the curve. But in the field tests of subgrades, the compaction degree of soil became lower with time than initially designed. With the purpose of finding out effect of compaction degree on soil-water characteristic curve, a study to the SWCC (soil-water characteristic curve) of Chongming low liquid limit clay using filter paper method was carried out and is presented in this paper. Specimens of different water contents were prepared by absorbing different amount of water, in order to better simulate the process of wetting of subgrade soil. After the filter paper test, the soil-water characteristic curve was fitted with two models, and then the effect of compaction degree on the curve was analyzed. The figures show that the compaction degree of the specimen will decrease with higher water content, and from the gravimetric water content-matric suction curve, it is found that compaction degree has an effect on air-entry value and water storage capacity.

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