Spatial pore characteristics of unsaturated soils caused by dielectric geometric factors under permittivity method with 1 GHz frequency range

A dielectric measurement device called a frequency domain reflectometry (FDR) has been designed and constructed for the dielectric measurement of unsaturated soil consisting of a volumetric soil water content of about 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 m³/m³ with different soil porosity around 0.40–0.45, respectively. The dielectric constant is measured in the frequency range 1 GHz. Soil calibration tests and tracer injection tests on standard sand and river sand are carried out in the laboratory. FDR measurement probes at different soil depths allow volumetric soil water content and dielectric constant measurements. The tracer concentration in the pore water is monitored by determining the dielectric constant, from the soil impedance. From the relationship between volumetric soil water content and dielectric constant, the specific calibration equations for the unsaturated soils were derived, and one can easily estimate the volumetric soil water content from the response of the measured dielectric constant for the soils. In the study of dielectric mixture models using α-value of 0.5 which is dielectric geometric factor, the effective porosity for the soils was computed to a range of 87–92% compared with the soil porosity.     

Experimental assessment of the infiltration properties of a coarse soil medium in a dielectric infiltration test

An accurate determination of the hydrological characteristics of porous media, such as the values of the porosity and effective porosity, are essential. This is important to understand the transport processes of infiltration and the movement of water and contaminants in the porous media. In this study, a laboratory soil column experiment to estimate the porosity and effective porosity of Toyoura standard sand samples, using a dielectric method termed the frequency domain reflectometry with vector network analyzer (FDR-V), was performed. The FDR-V device uses high-frequency microwaves, ranging from 0.1 to 3 GHz, to measure the complex dielectric constants of the sample. From the measured complex dielectric constant, the two parameters of the soil samples then were derived, using a proposed dielectric mixture model and tracer concentration model. The effective porosity of the soil sample is measured at 0.311 with the FDR-V dielectric method and 0.345 by the soil tracer column test. Comparing this with the calculated porosities of the soil sample, the ratio of effective porosity is approximately 78% for the dielectric method, and approximately 86% for the tracer concentration method. These different values can be explained to be within the measurement range with regard to the measurement volume for the soil column. These results indicate that measurement by the dielectric method using an FDR-V device is an efficient and useful tool for estimating the hydrological parameters of porous media because of the dielectric response of earth materials.     

Analytical solution to 1D coupled water infiltration and deformation in two‐layer unsaturated soils

An analytical solution to 1D coupled water infiltration and deformation in layered soils is derived using a Laplace transformation. Coupling between seepage and deformation, and initial conditions defined by arbitrary continuous pore‐water pressure distributions are considered. The analytical solutions describe the transient pore‐water pressure distributions during 1D, vertical infiltration toward the water table through two‐layer unsaturated soils. The nonlinear coupled formulations are first linearized and transformed into a form that is solvable using a Laplace transformation. The solutions provide a reliable means of comparing the accuracy of various numerical methods. Parameters considered in the coupled analysis include the saturated permeability (k_s), desaturation coefficient (α), and saturated volumetric water content (θ_s) of each soil layer, and antecedent and subsequent rainfall infiltration rates. The analytical solution demonstrates that the coupling of seepage and deformation plays an important role in water infiltration in layered unsaturated soils. A smaller value of α or a smaller absolute value of the elastic modulus of the soil with respect to a change in soil suction (H) for layered unsaturated soils means more marked coupling effect. A smaller absolute value of H of the upper layer soil also tends to cause more marked coupling effect. A large difference between the saturated coefficients of permeability for the top and bottom soil layers leads to reduced rainfall infiltration into the deep soil layer. The initial conditions also play a significant role in the pore‐water pressure redistribution and coupling effect. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Numerical modeling of rainstorm-induced shallow landslides in saturated and unsaturated soils

For the assessment of shallow landslides triggered by rainfall, the physically based model coupling the infinite slope stability analysis with the hydrological modeling in nearly saturated soil has commonly been used due to its simplicity. However, in that model the rainfall infiltration in unsaturated soil could not be reliably simulated because a linear diffusion-type Richards’ equation rather than the complete Richards’ equation was used. In addition, the effect of matric suction on the shear strength of soil was not actually considered. Therefore, except the shallow landslide in saturated soil due to groundwater table rise, the shallow landslide induced by the loss in unsaturated shear strength due to the dissipation of matric suction could not be reliably assessed. In this study, a physically based model capable of assessing shallow landslides in variably saturated soils is developed by adopting the complete Richards’ equation with the effect of slope angle in the rainfall infiltration modeling and using the extended Mohr–Coulomb failure criterion to describe the unsaturated shear strength in the soil failure modeling. The influence of rainfall intensity and duration on shallow landslide is investigated using the developed model. The result shows that the rainfall intensity and duration seem to have similar influence on shallow landslides respectively triggered by the increase of positive pore water pressure in saturated soil and induced by the dissipation of matric suction in unsaturated soil. The rainfall duration threshold decreases with the increase in rainfall intensity, but remains constant for large rainfall intensity.     

非饱和渗流基质吸力对边坡稳定性的影响

降雨入渗是致使边坡岩土体稳定性下降并最终导致崩滑地质灾害发生最为常见的环境因素。通常对边坡中地下水的影响分析采用的是经典的静水压力假定 ,并考虑适当的折减系数。本文研究了非饱和土强度随基质吸力变化的规律 ,对基质吸力影响边坡稳定性的机制进行探讨 ,并提出了相应的分析方法。运用上述方法分析了某露天矿边坡实例。结果表明 ,该方法十分有效。     

基于连续分形理论的土壤非饱和水力传导度的研究

土壤的孔隙是具有连续分形性质的物理结构,根据土壤孔隙分形结构建立了非饱和水力传导度模型。模型包括综合系数、分形维数和临界体积比3个参数,综合系数为不同土壤基质势对应的非饱和水力传导度与饱和传导度之间的水力联系,与土壤质地有关;分形维数反映土壤孔隙结构对于非饱和水力传导度的作用,土壤不同尺寸孔隙之间的连通性则通过临界体积加以描述。模型具有较为明确的物理解释。将模型应用于5种不同土壤的结果表明,所提出的非饱和水力传导度模型具有较好的模拟效果。     

含弱透水层岸坡地下水渗流特征的数值分析

库岸滑坡同坡体内地下水渗流场的动态变化具有密切的关系。传统的饱和土渗流分析方法无法正确描述水位升降过程中岸坡内孔压场的动态变化规律。从饱和-非饱和非稳定渗流理论出发,选取典型的岩土体的渗流参数,对含有弱透水夹层的理想层状岸坡进行有限元数值分析,得到水位升降过程中岸坡内孔隙水的渗流规律。同时,也得到了坡体内基质吸力和体积含水率随库水位升降变化的历时曲线。分析表明,岩土体的饱和渗透系数、土水特征曲线以及坡体的结构特征等共同决定了水位升降过程中岸坡内孔隙水压力和浸润线的分布。模拟结果可为库岸尤其是含弱透水层边坡的稳定性评价及岸坡的排水加固提供参考依据。     

Review of fundamental principles in modelling unsaturated soil behaviour

An unsaturated soil is a state of the soil. All soils can be partially saturated with water. Therefore, constitutive models for soils should ideally represent the soil behaviour over entire ranges of possible pore pressure and stress values and allow arbitrary stress and hydraulic paths within these ranges. The last two decades or so have seen significant advances in modelling unsaturated soil behaviour. This paper presents a review of constitutive models for unsaturated soils. In particular, it focuses on the fundamental principles that govern the volume change, shear strength, yield stress, water retention and hydro-mechanical coupling. Alternative forms of these principles are critically examined in terms of their predictive capacity for experimental data, the consistency between these principles and the continuity between saturated and unsaturated states.     

Head-based isogeometric analysis of transient flow in unsaturated soils

An isogeometric analysis (IGA) is introduced to obtain a head-based solution to Richards equation for unsaturated flow in porous media. IGA uses Non-Uniform Rational B-Spline (NURBS) as shape functions, which provide a higher level of inter-element continuity in comparison with Lagrange shape functions. The semi-discrete nonlinear algebraic equations are solved using a combination of implicit backward-Euler time-integration and Newton-Raphson scheme. The time-step size is adaptively controlled based on the rate of changes in the pore pressure. The results from the proposed formulation are compared and verified against an analytical solution for one-dimensional transient unsaturated flow in a homogenous soil column. The proposed method is then applied to four more complex problems including two-dimensional unsaturated flow in a two-layered soil and a semi-circular furrow. The test cases in two-layered soil system involve sharp variations in the pressure gradient at the intersection of the two media, where the pore water pressure abruptly changes. It is shown that the proposed head-based IGA is able to properly simulate changes in pore pressure at the soils interface using fewer degrees of freedom and higher orders of approximation in comparison with the conventional finite element method.     

非饱和土中热−湿−盐耦合作用的稳态分析

以多孔介质理论为基础,研究了稳态条件下非饱和土中温度?水分?盐分多场耦合问题。考虑非饱和土的孔隙被液态水、溶解的盐分、水蒸气和干燥气体等填充,在质量和能量守恒的基础上获得了非饱和土中水分、气体、盐分的质量守恒方程以及能量守恒方程。考虑一维稳态问题,选取温度、孔隙气压、孔隙水压和盐溶液浓度以及它们的导数作为状态变量,得到了问题的状态方程组。在给定的边界条件下,采用打靶法求解了该强耦合的非线性变系数微分方程组,通过与已有的试验结果相比较,验证了模型的有效性。基于数值算例,参数分析了含水率、温度边界、孔隙率等条件对非饱和土中温度场、水分场和盐分场分布的影响规律。     

Evaluation of probabilistic flow in two unsaturated soils

A variably saturated flow model is coupled to a first-order reliability algorithm to simulate unsaturated flow in two soils. The unsaturated soil properties are considered as uncertain variables with means, standard deviations, and marginal probability distributions. Thus, each simulation constitutes an unsaturated probability flow event. Sensitivities of the uncertain variables are estimated for each event. The unsaturated hydraulic properties of a fine-textured soil and a coarse-textured soil are used. The properties are based on the van Genuchten model. The flow domain has a recharge surface, a seepage boundary along the bottom, and a no-flow boundary along the sides. The uncertain variables are saturated water content, residual water content, van Genuchten model parameters alpha (α) and n, and saturated hydraulic conductivity. The objective is to evaluate the significance of each uncertain variable to the probabilistic flow. Under wet conditions, saturated water content and residual water content are the most significant uncertain variables in the sand. For dry conditions in the sand, however, the van Genuchten model parameters α and n are the most significant. Model parameter n and saturated hydraulic conductivity are the most significant for the wet clay loam. Saturated water content is most significant for the dry clay loam. Electronic Publication     

非饱和土中圆柱形衬砌隧道的瞬态动力响应

在以往关于圆柱形衬砌隧道的瞬态动力响应中,衬砌周围土体大多假定为弹性介质或饱和介质。然而,自然界中的土体大多为非饱和介质。考虑土体与衬砌结构的动力相互作用及动荷载引起的附加质量密度的影响,研究了瞬态荷载作用下非饱和土中无限长深埋圆柱形衬砌隧道的动力响应。基于多孔介质混合物理论和连续介质力学理论,建立了非饱和土中圆柱形衬砌隧道受到瞬态荷载作用时衬砌及周围土体的控制方程,利用Durbin数值反演法得到了衬砌及土体在时间域的动力响应。数值分析了饱和度对瞬态荷载下径向位移、径向应力、环向应力和孔隙水压力的影响。结果表明：饱和度对衬砌及周围土体的瞬态响应影响显著;饱和度对径向位移沿径向的衰减影响较小,对环向应力和孔隙压力沿径向的衰减影响较大。     

Numerical analysis of a one‐dimensional infiltration problem in unsaturated soil by a seepage–deformation coupled method

A multiphase coupled elasto‐viscoplastic finite element analysis formulation, based on the theory of porous media, is used to describe the rainfall infiltration process into a one‐dimensional soil column. Using this framework, we have numerically analyzed the generation of pore water pressure and deformations when rainfall is applied to the soil. A parametric study, including rainfall intensity, soil–water characteristic curves, and permeability, is carried out to observe their influence on the changes in pore water pressure and volumetric strain. From the numerical results, it is shown that the generation of pore water pressure and volumetric strain is mainly controlled by material parameters α and n′ that describe the soil–water characteristic curve. A comparison with the laboratory results shows that the proposed method can describe very well the characteristics observed during the experiments of one‐dimensional water infiltration into a layered unsaturated soil column. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of coarse-grained material on hydraulic properties and shear strength of top soil

Sidewalk failures associated with top soil of low shear strength are a common problem in urban areas. Mixing top soil with granite chips can be used to increase its permeability and shear strength. The effects of mixing granite chips with top soils on the hydraulic properties and shear strength under saturated and unsaturated conditions were investigated in this study. The results showed that the mixing top soils with granite chips caused changes in several key parameters of the soil–water characteristic curve (e.g., the air-entry value, the residual matric suction, and the residual volumetric water content) and the unsaturated permeability of the top soils. The saturated permeability and shear strength of the soil mixture increased with increasing content of granite chips.     

二维饱和土体动态孔隙率及相关动力响应特性研究

饱和多孔介质的动力响应研究在众多工程领域具有重要意义。充分考虑孔隙率的变化规律与影响因素,有利于合理揭示饱和多孔介质的相关力学行为。为此,将动态孔隙率模型与用于表征饱和多孔介质动力特性的u-U-p型方程结合,构建相应的非线性力学模型,利用Comsol Multiphysis PDE求取相应的数值解,以此研究不同透水条件下,受谐波载荷激励的二维饱和土体的孔隙率、变形量及孔隙水压力的变化规律。结果表明：孔隙率的变化与土骨架的体应变及孔隙水压力直接相关,土体压缩过程中,孔隙率相应减小,土骨架与孔隙流体的相互作用增强,土体运动时所受阻力增大,其无量纲竖向位移小于孔隙率被视为常数时的情况,在此条件下,由于土体的变形量减小,其孔隙水压力也相对减小。故充分考虑动态孔隙率,有利于更加精确地研究等饱土体和多孔介质的相关力学行为。此外,土体上表面透水条件下,孔隙流体可以从土体表面自由排出,土骨架承受的载荷更大,与不透水条件相比,土体孔隙率、竖向位移、孔隙水压力等变化更为显著。     

不同渗流边界条件下粉砂边坡失稳模型试验研究

研究不同渗流边界条件下粉砂边坡的稳定特性对滑坡安全评价及防灾减灾具有重要意义。开发研制了室内边坡模型试验系统,分别进行了在上部边界入渗、侧向边界入渗和底部边界入渗的边坡失稳模型试验。分析了各试验中边坡内部不同位置体积含水率、孔隙水压力和基质吸力的变化规律以及坡体破坏过程。结果表明,不同入渗边界条件下边坡土体局部由非饱和变为饱和状态,基质吸力消失,最后在坡面形成不稳定区域塌落破坏。上部边界入渗、侧向边界入渗和底部边界入渗所引起的破坏模式根据其特点可分为局部浅层破坏、多级后退式破坏和坡面滑动破坏。通过监测边坡不同位置的体积含水率,可以为渗流引发的边坡失稳预警机制提供参考依据。     

An analytical solution for rainfall infiltration into an unsaturated infinite slope and its application to slope stability analysis

Surficial slope failures in residual soils are common in tropical and subtropical regions as a result of rainfall infiltration. This study develops an analytical solution for simulating rainfall infiltration into an infinite unsaturated soil slope. The analytical solution is based on the general partial differential equation for water flow through unsaturated soils. It can accept soil–water characteristic curve and unsaturated permeability function of the exponential form into account. Numerical simulations are conducted to verify the assumptions of the analytical solution and demonstrate that the proposed analytical solution is acceptable for the coarse soils with low air entry values. The pore‐water pressure (pwp) distributions obtained from the analytical solution can be incorporated into a limit equilibrium method to do infinite slope stability analysis for a rain‐induced shallow slip. The analysis method takes into account the influence of the water content change on unit weight and hence on factor of safety. A series of analytical parametric analyses have been performed using the developed model. The analyses indicate that when the residual soil slope, consisting of a completely decomposed granite layer underlain by a less permeable layer, is subjected to a continuous heavy rainfall, the loss of negative pwp and the reduction in factor of safety were found to be most significant for the shallow soil layer and during the first 12 h. The antecedent and subsequent rainfall intensity, depth of a less permeable layer and slope angle all have a significant influence on the pwp response and hence the slope stability. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

荆门非饱和膨胀土的变形与强度特性试验研究

通过压力板试验,对比分析了荆门原状膨胀土与石灰改良土持水特征的差异性;应用非饱和土三轴仪,开展了原状膨胀土、石灰改良膨胀土与重塑膨胀土的变形及强度特性试验。结果表明：①石灰改良膨胀土与原状膨胀土相比,其进气值有显著降低,残余含水率显著升高,土-水特征曲线两个特征点的斜率较为平缓,说明其水稳定性较好,土体性状更为稳定;②原状膨胀土和石灰改良膨胀土在非饱和与饱和状态的应力-应变关系曲线均呈应变软化型,随净围压的增大,应变软化的程度趋缓;随含水率的减小,峰值应力增大,应力峰值点有所提前,应变软化现象更加显著。饱和重塑膨胀土的应力-应变关系呈应变强化型,非饱和重塑膨胀土则呈现为应变软化型,但其应变软化的程度较前两类土大为趋缓;③经石灰改性后,膨胀土强度参数值有大幅度提高,即使在湿化饱和后,石灰改良膨胀土仍保持了相对稳定的力学性质和较高的抗剪强度参数值。相比之下,无论是重塑膨胀土,还是原状膨胀土,对湿化作用均十分敏感,其强度参数值或波动较大,或整体水平较低。     

Predicting effective stress parameter of unsaturated soils using neural networks

In the effective stress equation for unsaturated soils proposed by Bishop, shear strength in these soils depends on the effective stress parameter, χ, a function of soil suction [1]. To estimate the shear strength of unsaturated soils, one must already know this parameter and its variation with soil suction. Though theories on the shear strength of unsaturated soils are consistent with experimental measurements, estimating the effective stress parameter directly from tedious laboratory tests is impractical. Thus, researchers have performed numerous intensive studies to effectively obtain the unsaturated shear strength using simplified empirical methods.This paper shows an adaptive learning neural network method for predicting this parameter, χ. The proposed network is a multilayer perceptron network with six neurons in the input layer representing the air entry value, the volumetric water content at residual and saturated conditions, the slope of soil water characteristic curve, the net confining stress and suction. The available literature uses a database prepared from triaxial shear test results to train and test the network. The results show the suitability of the proposed approach for estimating the effective stress parameter. Network analysis indicates that the χ-parameter depends strongly on the net mean stress.     

Coupled consolidation in unsaturated soils: An alternative approach to deriving the Governing Equations

The equations governing coupled consolidation in unsaturated soils are known to contain additional parameters when compared to the equations for saturated soils. Nonetheless, the variation of these parameters with suction or degree of saturation is not generally agreed upon. The paper introduces a novel approach to deriving general equations for each of these parameters and their variation, and explains that, for consistency with the constitutive and soil-water retention curve models adopted, these general equations need to be transformed into case-specific expressions. Finally, a conceptual model is presented highlighting how the behaviour of unsaturated soil reflects aspects of its water content.