Mathematical attributes of some soil–water characteristic curve models

Numerous mathematical models have been proposed in the research literature to represent soil–water characteristic curve data. A number of proposed mathematical models are summarized and the significance of each of the associated soil parameters is illustrated. The advantages and disadvantages of the various mathematical models are outlined. The derivatives for each of the model equations are presented along with comments regarding the efficiency of the best-fit regression procedures.The models using three soil parameters models proved to be superior for representing the wide range of soil suctions required in solving geotechnical problems. Regression analyses using three soil parameters were shown to be numerically more stable, converging with a reasonable number of iterations.     

非饱和黄土渗透性的试验研究

通过对甘肃陇西地区的湿陷性黄土做现场浸水试验和室内渗透试验、粒度分析试验，得到了陇西黄土的渗透系数（K20）随孔隙比（e）和吸力（s）的变化规律，为研究黄土浸水入渗规律，求解湿陷性黄土非稳态渗流方程做了必要的准备。     

Effect of loading rate on the volume change behavior of unsaturated residual soil

Residual soils occur in most countries of the world but those that occur in greater area and depth are usually found in the tropical humid areas. This research examines the effects of loading rate of applied or net mean stress on the volume change behavior of an unsaturated granitic residual soil. Three loading rates were adopted: fast, slow and extra slow loading rate. It was observed that the loading rate of applied or net mean stress has a pronounced effect on the void ratio and degree of saturation but has an insignificant effect on the water content of residual soils subjected to constant matric suction.     

Water infiltration characteristics of unsaturated soil slope and its effect on suction and stability

Rainfall has been considered the cause of the majority of slope failures and landslides that happened in regions experiencing high seasonal rainfalls. The mechanism of the failures was mainly due to the lost of matric suction of soils by rainwater. This paper presents the results of a laboratory model study on the effect of slope angle and surface cover on water infiltration into soil and soil matric suction. A field infiltration test is carried out for comparison. A parametric study is also done to examine the effect of permeability ratio, development of perched water table and rainfall intensity on the factor of safety against instability of a soil slope. Results of the model study show that different surface covers on slopes have an effect on the water infiltration. Generally the covered surface (grass or geosynthetic net) has a lower infiltration rate compared with the bare (no cover) surface. On the effect of slope angle, it was observed that water infiltration decrease with increase in the slope steepness. With regards to the movement of the wetting front, it appears that water infiltration is more at the toe compared with the top of the model slope. Based on the parametric study, it is found factor of safety of the slope against instability drops for slope with higher ratio of permeability for the permeable and impermeable stratum. As the perched water table is formed, the factor of safety decreased. The rainfall intensity also has a marked effect on the slope factor of safety. The higher the intensity of the rainfall, the higher is the infiltration rate into the soil, hence the lower is the factor of safety against slope instability.     

Methods of metal release assessment in soil water at anoxic sites

Metal mobility at contaminated sites can be assessed by soil water investigations or by leaching tests. Leaching tests are usually carried out in open contact with the atmosphere disregarding possible changes of redox conditions. This can affect the original metal speciation and distribution, particularly when anoxic samples are investigated. In this study, the applicability of common leaching tests (the German S4 test (S4), ammonium nitrate extraction (AmmN), and saturation soil extraction (SSE)) is tested for the assessment of zinc release from sulfide‐bearing flotation residues of a former ore mine. Results are compared to soil solution samples obtained by centrifugation and suction cups. The influence of sample storage on S4 leaching test results is investigated in a long‐term study to assess oxidation kinetics. Within the first 200 days the release of zinc increases with a slope of 0.1 mmol kg^–1 d^–1 or 6.0 mg kg^–1 d^–1, respectively. Since oxidation of the sulfide‐bearing samples leads to a significant overestimation of metal release, a feasible modification for the conduction of leaching tests for anoxic material is proposed where oxidation is prevented efficiently. The modified SSE is found to be the only of the tested leaching procedures, which can be recommended for the assessment of current soil water concentrations at anoxic sites if direct investigation of the soil water is impossible due to technical reasons.     

On the use of resistance envelopes to identify the controls on slope stability in the tropics

In tropical and sub-tropical slopes, soil suction may in certain circumstances play a role in maintaining slope stability. Resistance envelope methods are outlined that provide a means of assessing the threshold soil water conditions for stability. In addition, this technique enables the likely failure depth to be identified. Application to slopes in St. Lucia, West Indies, show the accordance of resistance envelope predictions with stability analysis results. A methodology for the geomorphological investigation of stability processes in tropical slopes is proposed.     

Influence of rainfall-induced wetting on the stability of slopes in weathered soils

Shallow failures of slopes in weathered soil are caused by infiltration due to prolonged rainfall. These failures are mainly triggered by the deepening of the wetting band accompanied by a decrease in matric suction induced by the water infiltration. This paper reports trends of rainfall-induced wetting band depth in two types of weathered soils that are commonly found in Korea. Both theoretical and numerical analyses for wetting band depth are presented based on the soil–water characteristic curve obtained using filter paper as well as tensiometer tests. It is found that the magnitude of wetting front suction plays a key role in the stability of slopes in weathered soils. Theoretical analysis based on modified Green and Ampt model tends to underestimate the wetting band depth for typical Korean weathered soils. It was also deduced that for Korean weathered soils, the factor of safety drops rapidly once the wetting band depth of 1.2 m reached.     

尾矿坝非饱和带滞水曲线模型的建立及应用

本研究的目的是建立一种简单实用的上游式尾矿坝非饱和带滞水曲线的数学模型。研究方法采用拟合法。在揭示了硬岩尾矿砂的沉积距离与含水率、孔隙比等之间关系的基础上,建立了一种arctanx的函数,用来表征含水率与基质吸力的关系。将本模型应用于降雨入渗条件下饱和-非饱和渗流场分析,结果表明,数学模型与实验数据,具有明显的一致性。研究表明:该数学模型函数简单,适用于上游式尾矿坝。     

桶形基础模型负压沉贯的土工技术试验研究

介绍了桶形基础模型的结构,现场原土配置的模型基土以及桶形基础模型在模型基土中的负压沉贯试验,试验中所获得的土工技术经验对海上平台桶形基础的设计和现场安装就位施工有一定的指导作用。