Soil–Water Characteristic Curves Obtained for a Colluvial and Lateritic Soil Profile Considering the Macro and Micro Porosity

This study aims to determine and to model the relationship of matric suction versus water content, known as soil?Cwater characteristic curve (SWCC), for a tropical soil profile at the southeastern Brazil. This soil profile consists of a colluvial, lateritic silty clay, with thickness of about 6.5?m. The filter paper and pressure plate techniques were used to determine the SWCC. Specimens were trimmed from the undisturbed soil samples collected along soil profile depth and submitted to drying paths. Impregnated thin-layer plates and a petrographic microscope were used to examine the structure and mineralogical composition of the soil samples. Mercury intrusion porosimetry tests were performed on some soil samples to obtain the frequency histogram of the pores. SWCC with bimodal pore-size distribution were obtained by the filter paper technique and SWCC with unimodal pore-size distribution were obtained by the pressure plate technique. The SWCC showed values of air-entry ranging from 1 to 3?kPa, depending on the technique used, resembling soils with macroporosity, as the lateritic soils. Combining both techniques, the SWCC could be fitted by a model that takes into consideration soils with macro and microporosity.     

全吸力范围南阳膨胀土的土-水特征曲线

膨胀土的失水收缩、吸水膨胀过程分别对应着土-水特征曲线的脱湿和吸湿阶段。土-水特征曲线对于研究非饱和土的水力与力学特性有着重要作用。用压力板法（吸力范围0～1.5 MPa）、滤纸法（吸力范围0～40 MPa）和蒸汽平衡法（吸力范围3～368 MPa）,分别对南阳膨胀土进行了土-水特性试验,得到全吸力范围内的土-水特征曲线。试验结果表明：初始孔隙比大致相同土样的土-水特征曲线,在低吸力范围内脱湿曲线与吸湿曲线具有明显的滞回现象。当吸力大于300 MPa时,土-水特征曲线的滞回效应基本消失,即脱湿曲线与吸湿曲线基本重合。滤纸法所测出的土-水特性落在主脱湿和主吸湿曲线的滞回圈内。当吸力等于367.54 MPa时,含水率仅为0.325%,几乎近于0。孔隙比随着吸力的变化规律中,不仅受到吸力大小的影响,还受到吸力历史和吸力路径影响;孔隙比与吸力关系中,相同吸力时吸湿路径的孔隙比要比脱湿路径的大;在吸力低范围,吸湿路径与脱湿路径的孔隙比相近。孔隙比与饱和度关系因吸力路径的不同也存在着明显的滞回效应,接近饱和时趋近一致。变吸力情况条件下,饱和度随着孔隙比的增加而增加,蒸汽平衡法得出的孔隙比与饱和度的关系具有明显的线性关系,而压力板法做出来的低吸力范围内的线性关系不明显。     

Predicting bimodal soil–water characteristic curves and permeability functions using physically based parameters

Experimental evidence shows that a gap-graded soil or a widely-graded granular material may have a bimodal soil–water characteristic curve (SWCC) and a bimodal permeability function. A bimodal SWCC or a bimodal permeability function originates from a dual-porosity structure. To date, the prediction of bimodal SWCCs for gap-graded soils is still a difficult task. In this paper, a bimodal SWCC model is proposed to describe the drying process of granular soils considering a dual-porosity structure. The new SWCC model shows powerful capability in fitting the SWCCs for soils varying from gravel to silt. Regression analysis is conducted to establish empirical relations between the model parameters and the indexes of soil grain-size distribution (GSD). Based on these relations, the new model predicts well both the bimodal SWCCs for gap-graded soils and the unimodal SWCCs for well-graded soils and uniform soils. A bimodal permeability function is also proposed and linked to the new SWCC model. In the absence of experimental SWCCs and permeability functions, the new model can be used to obtain preliminary SWCCs and permeability functions for granular soils. It should be mentioned that the prediction of the SWCC from the GSD is still empirical and does not address the cyclic wetting/drying process. Measurement of the SWCC should be performed wherever an accurate SWCC is required.     

Laboratory Investigations on Extremely High Suction Measurements for Fine-grained Soils

A Dewpoint PotentiaMeter (WP4) was used to measure suction of two fine-grained soils: a locally available silty soil and commercially available white clay, rapidly. Using these results, efforts were made to check the suitability and efficiency of various fitting functions, for defining the soil–water characteristic curve, SWCC, for high suction ranges (0–80 MPa). In addition to this, a knowledge-based database SoilVision 3.34 was used to estimate the SWCC using Pedo-transfer functions, PTFs. The study brings out that the Fredlund et al. [1997, Proceedings of the 3rd Symposium on Unsaturated Soil, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, pp. 13–23] PTF yields the best estimate of SWCC for fine-grained soils. The influence of the soil type and dry unit weight, on suction and the SWCC fitting parameters, have also been studied.     

非饱和膨胀土的土-水特征曲线研究

在干旱和半干旱地区 ,土体中含水量的变化常会引发各种工程问题。研究表明 ,非饱和土的工程性质不仅取决于土的组成、结构和应力状态 ,还与土中的吸力密切相关。非饱和土的土 -水特征曲线表达了土体中含水量与吸力的关系 ,是非饱和土研究的重要内容之一。     

集成回填材料的土水特征曲线测定

以膨润土为基材,添加沸石、黄铁矿制备高压实集成回填材料,采用渗析法和汽相法分别测得其在不同温度及自由、侧限条件下的土水特征曲线( SWCC),并采用SWCC模型对实验数据进行拟合.结果表明:低吸力范围内,施加相同的初始吸力,最终测得50℃试样含水率＞20℃对应含水率,原因是温度影响渗析法所测吸力值及试样饱和后的微观结构;高吸力范围内,同一吸力值80℃对应的含水率最小,土水特征曲线斜率随温度升高而增大.应力状态对土水特征曲线的影响,在低吸力范围内显著,而高吸力范围内则影响不大.这与材料的微观结构有关.Van Genuehten模型对实测数据的拟合效果最佳.     

考虑吸力效应的非饱和黏土回弹模量预估模型

回弹模量是反映路基弹性支撑能力的重要指标,并受运营期间基质吸力变化的显著影响。通过3种压实黏土试样的土-水特征曲线试验和重复动三轴试验,研究了回弹模量与基质吸力的相关性,并基于非饱和土有效应力原理,提出了考虑吸力效应的回弹模量预估模型。结果表明：基质吸力与回弹模量之间具有较强的非线性相关性,可采用指数形式进行两者的拟合;含水率由最佳含水率-4%提升至最佳含水率+4%时,受基质吸力减小的影响,回弹模量降幅达到29.1%～39.0%;在 土-水特征曲线过渡区,采用以饱和度表征的有效应力参数,可较好地反映基质吸力对于回弹模量的贡献,预估效果优于采用残余含水率或进气值相关的有效应力参数;在相同饱和度的情况下,黏粒含量越多、塑性指数越高,基质吸力对有效应力的贡献比例越小。     

非饱和原状残积土土水特征曲线研究

利用压力板仪装置开展不同竖向应力、不同干湿循环次数和不同类型原状土(残积黏性土和残积砂质黏性土)的SWCC曲线试验研究, 比较和分析未考虑体积变化和考虑体积变化的土体SWCC滞回圈面积以及进气值和出气值的变化规律。研究结果表明传统方法获取的SWCC曲线会高估土体抵御变形的能力, 试验条件变化引起土体内部结构调整是SWCC曲线发生变化的内在原因; 高应力水平条件下, 土体孔隙变化显著, 导致吸湿过程SWCC变化明显, 吸湿和脱湿路径时SWCC形状的不平等变化促使彼此间更为接近, 这种变化会减小SWCC滞后性随有效应力水平的变化。最后, 根据试验数据对3类SWCC修正公式进行拟合优度分析, 结合模型参数的简洁性, 得出修正VG模型最符合闽东南地区原状残积土的SWCC建模。研究成果可为残积土边坡的工程特性及治理提供有意义的参考。     

A comparative study of suction stress between sand and silt under unsaturated conditions

The purpose of this study is to estimate and compare suction stress between sand and silt sampled from the coast of Korea. The water content and matric suction of sand (Joomunjin) and silt (Saemangeum) were first examined using an automated soil–water characteristic curve (SWCC) apparatus based on the axis translation technique. SWCCs were then estimated from the test results using the van Genuchten (1980) model. At equal matric suction, the corresponding water content of silt was higher than that of sand. Moreover, the saturated water content and air-entry value (AEV) of silt were larger than those of sand. Using the fitting SWCC parameters, suction stress characteristic curves (SSCCs) were estimated according to the method proposed by Lu and Likos (2006). The SSCC behavior for sand and silt was different and significantly depended on the material properties, particularly pore size and pore size distribution. For sand, the suction stress exhibited rapid variation with changes in matric suction, but for silt, the suction stress approached a constant value as the matric suction increased. In addition, when the matric suction was smaller than the AEV of soil, the suction stress was equal to the magnitude of the matric suction. In contrast, when the matric suction exceeded the AEV of soil, suction stress had a nonlinear shape with respect to the matric suction.     

基于可靠度方法的全基质吸力段土-水特征模型研究

土-水特征曲线是非饱和土入渗和流-固耦合分析的基础,目前该模型的研究成果由于试验方法和设备的局限,仅能够得到局部基质吸力段(低吸力或高吸力)的土-水特征曲线;而如何根据局部试验数据集推断与试验结果相吻合的全基质吸力段范围的土-水特征曲线是一个难题。对东南沿海广泛分布的原状残积土进行了不同基质吸力段的土-水特征试验。根据残积土低吸力段和高吸力段的试验数据,运用可靠度分析方法,从土壤孔隙微元破裂失稳的角度,建立了土壤全基质吸力段的土-水特征模型。根据UNSODA2.0数据库提取砂土、粉土、黏土等3种类型土样本(52个)的试验数据,讨论了模型参数意义和不同土类的模型适用性,进行了不同土-水特征模型的比较分析。对比验证研究表明,形状参数σ和中值比例参数μ使提出的模型具有很强的适应性,并且具有依据局部试验数据(低或高基质吸力段)快速获得全基质吸力段土壤土-水特征曲线的能力。与其它模型相比,模型计算过程适应性强,模型决定系数R2>0.98。研究结果对快速获取不同类型土壤的全基质吸力段土-水特征曲线具有参考价值。     

Comparison of testing techniques and models for establishing the SWCC of riverbank soils

The soil water characteristic curve (SWCC), also known as soil water retention curve (SWRC), describes the relationship between water content and soil suction in unsaturated soils. Water content and suction affect the permeability, shear strength, volume change and deformability of unsaturated soils. This paper presents results of the laboratory determination of the SWCC for soil samples obtained from the riverbank of the Lower Roanoke River in North Carolina. Six different testing methods were used to establish the SWCC including the filter paper, dewpoint potentiameter, vapor equilibrium, pressure plate, Tempe cell and osmotic methods. It is concluded that each suction measurement technique provides different measurable ranges of suction values, and the combined results from the different tests provide continuous SWCCs. Three widely available models were also shown to adequately fit the experimental SWCC data, particularly for matric suction values under 1500 kPa. These results will be valuable to practitioners in deciding which methods to use to establish the SWCC, and which empirical relationship to use for modeling the SWCC of riverbank soils.     

土-水特征曲线与核磁共振曲线的关系

土-水特征曲线在非饱和土的研究中扮演着重要的角色,其预测方法的研究具有重要的科学意义。以武汉黏性土为研究对象,在土-水特征曲线试验和核磁共振（NMR）试验的基础上,利用Fredlund-Xing模型对试验数据进行拟合分析。结合KST模型和Young-Laplace理论,建立了基质吸力与土体中孔隙水的弛豫时间（T2）之间的理论关系式,试验结果表明该理论关系式并不能简单有效的描述基质吸力与T2值之间的实际关系。基于土-水特征曲线和NMR试验结果,建议了基质吸力与T2值之间的经验关系式,在此基础之上,给出了基于NMR曲线的不同初始干密度非饱和黏性土土-水特征曲线的预测方法。     

基于状态曲面的非饱和土强度准则及其验证

考虑体变对非饱和土土-水状态的影响,将状态曲面函数引入传统的Vanapalli强度公式得到与孔隙比相关的抗剪强度准则,新准则使用饱和土的强度参数和两条不同孔隙比对应的土-水特征曲线。选择一种尾矿砂和高岭土的混合土料为研究对象,进行一系列的土-水特征曲线试验、吸力控制的等向压缩和三轴剪切试验。试验结果表明,新准则能更准确地预测非饱和土的强度,证明了传统强度预测的误差主要来源于忽略了体变导致的土-水状态变化,并提出在不同应力空间内精确地获得抗剪强度包线的方法,合理地解释了强度包线斜率在净应力-强度平面内随吸力增大、强度包线形状在吸力-强度平面内随净应力发生变化的特性。     

非饱和土毛细滞回内变量模型的修正

土-水特征关系是基质吸力和含水率之间关系。在反复干湿循环路径下土-水特征曲线呈现出毛细滞回特性。基于毛细滞回内变量理论和传统的土-水特征关系经验模型,提出了能模拟在任意干湿循环路径下土-水特征关系的修正模型。该模型比原模型增加了一个可逆参数,考虑了含水率的可逆变化,使扫描线在靠近边界线的时候斜率不会无限大,同时保留了原模型精度。通过与文献中的试验结果进行比较,修正模型可以更好地模拟非饱和土的土-水特征关系的循环滞回特性,并讨论了可逆参数的确定方法。     

A hypoplastic model for mechanical response of unsaturated soils

A new constitutive model is developed for the mechanical behaviour of unsaturated soils based on the theory of hypoplasticity and the effective stress principle. The governing constitutive relations are presented and their application is demonstrated using several experimental data from the literature. Attention is given to the stiffening effect of suction on the mechanical response of unsaturated soils and the phenomenon of wetting‐induced collapse. All model parameters have direct physical interpretation, procedures for their quantification from test data are highlighted. Quantitative predictions of the model are presented for wetting, drying and constant suction tests. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Modelling the effect of temperature on unsaturated soil behaviour

A simple thermohydromechanical (THM) constitutive model for unsaturated soils is described. The effective stress concept is extended to unsaturated soils with the introduction of a capillary stress. This capillary stress is based on a microstructural model and calculated from attraction forces due to water menisci. The effect of desaturation and the thermal softening phenomenon are modelled with a minimal number of material parameters and based on existing models. THM process is qualitatively and quantitatively modelled by using experimental data and previous work to show the application of the model, including a drying path under mechanical stress with transition between saturated and unsaturated states, a heating path under constant suction and a deviatoric path with imposed suction and temperature. The results show that the present model can simulate the THM behaviour in unsaturated soils in a satisfactory way.     

吸力对弱膨胀土强度贡献的试验研究与预测分析

对部分应用土-水特征曲线来预测非饱和土抗剪强度的公式进行了归纳分析。应用压力板仪与非饱和三轴仪,测试了荆门原状弱膨胀土的土-水特征曲线和控制吸力的非饱和三轴抗剪强度参数,并将试验结果与各抗剪强度公式的预测值进行对比,分析了各强度公式的局限性。试验结果表明,非饱和原状膨胀土的净法向应力摩擦角随着吸力的不同而变化,根据双应力变量理论确定的吸力对强度的贡献与围压有关,不同围压下吸力对强度的贡献不同,表观凝聚力 与吸力间符合乘幂函数关系。     

A thermo‐hydro‐mechanical model for unsaturated soils based on the effective stress concept

A simple thermo‐hydro‐mechanical (THM) constitutive model for unsaturated soils is described. The effective stress concept is extended to unsaturated soils with the introduction of a capillary stress. This capillary stress is based on a microstructural model and calculated from attraction forces due to water menisci. The effect of desaturation and the thermal softening phenomenon are modelled with a minimal number of material parameters and based on existing models. THM process is qualitatively and quantitatively modelled by using experimental data and previous work to show the application of the model, including a drying path under mechanical stress with transition between saturated and unsaturated states, a heating path under constant suction and a deviatoric path with imposed suction and temperature. The results show that the present model can simulate the THM behaviour in unsaturated soils in a satisfactory way. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of site-specific soil-water characteristic curve from a limited number of test data— A Bayesian perspective

Determining soilewater characteristic curve(SWCC) at a site is an essential step for implementing unsaturated soil mechanics in geotechnical engineering practice, which can be measured directly through various in-situ and/or laboratory tests. Such direct measurements are, however, costly and timeconsuming due to high standards for equipment and procedural control and limits in testing apparatus. As a result, only a limited number of data points(e.g., volumetric water content vs. matric suction)on SWCC at some values of matric suction are obtained in practice. How to use a limited number of data points to estimate the site-specific SWCC and to quantify the uncertainty(or degrees-of-belief) in the estimated SWCC remains a challenging task. This paper proposes a Bayesian approach to determine a site-specific SWCC based on a limited number of test data and prior knowledge(e.g., engineering experience and judgment). The proposed Bayesian approach quantifies the degrees-of-belief on the estimated SWCC according to site-specific test data and prior knowledge, and simultaneously selects a suitable SWCC model from a number of candidates based on the probability logic. To address computational issues involved in Bayesian analyses, Markov Chain Monte Carlo Simulation(MCMCS), specifically Metropolis-Hastings(M-H) algorithm, is used to solve the posterior distribution of SWCC model parameters, and Gaussian copula is applied to evaluating model evidence based on MCMCS samples for selecting the most probable SWCC model from a pool of candidates. This removes one key limitation of the M-H algorithm, making it feasible in Bayesian model selection problems. The proposed approach is illustrated using real data in Unsaturated Soil Database(UNSODA) developed by U.S. Department of Agriculture. It is shown that the proposed approach properly estimates the SWCC based on a limited number of site-specific test data and prior knowledge, and reflects the degrees-of-belief on the estimated SWCC in a rational and quantitative manner.     

膨胀土收缩开裂特性研究

在干燥环境中,由于蒸发失水,膨胀土发生收缩,表面容易产生纵横交错的裂隙网络(龟裂)。龟裂的产生会极大弱化土体的工程性质,并导致各种工程问题。随着极端干旱气候的频发,膨胀土龟裂问题将会越来越多,越来越显著。开展龟裂研究对揭示龟裂现象的本质规律和指导膨胀土地区的工程实践有重要意义。龟裂的形成和发展是一个动态的过程,与土中水分的蒸发速率、应力状态、收缩特性等直接相关:龟裂形成时水分蒸发处于常速率阶段; 吸力和抗拉强度是制约龟裂形成的两个关键力学参数,当土体中的吸力引起的张拉应力超过土体的抗拉强度时,龟裂便会产生; 龟裂是孔隙发生收缩的直观表现。总体上,力的作用和收缩空间是土体龟裂形成的两个必要条件。此外,膨胀土龟裂具有非常复杂的发生发展过程,受土质学、土力学、土结构、试验条件和方法等许多因素的影响。龟裂定量分析是龟裂研究的重要内容之一,能为龟裂机理研究及相关理论模型的建立提供必要参数。计算机图形处理技术具有效率高、操作性强、精度高等优点,为龟裂定量分析提供了强有力的工具。目前关于土体龟裂研究还存在许多不足之处,在今后的工作中,应该重视龟裂形成和发展过程的动态特征,围绕与土体龟裂相关的水-土作用关系、力学机制、收缩变形机制、大尺度现场试验和三维观测分析技术等方面开展更多的针对性研究,综合考虑龟裂形成过程中的土质学、土力学和土结构因素,结合宏观现象与微观分析,建立土体龟裂的理论体系。