Measurement of soil-water characteristic curves for fine-grained soils using a small-scale centrifuge

2002 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 1209-1217 ◽  
Author(s):  
R M Khanzode ◽  
S K Vanapalli ◽  
D G Fredlund
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Characteristic Curves ◽  
Pressure Plate ◽  
Soil Water Characteristic Curve ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
Soil Water Characteristic Curves ◽  
Plate Apparatus

Considerably long periods of time are required to measure soil-water characteristic curves using conventional equipment such as pressure plate apparatus or a Tempe cell. A commercially available, small-scale medical centrifuge with a swinging type rotor assembly was used to measure the soil-water characteristic curves on statically compacted, fine-grained soil specimens. A specimen holder was specially designed to obtain multiple sets of water content versus suction data for measuring the soil-water characteristic curve at a single speed of rotation of the centrifuge. The soil-water characteristic curves were measured for three different types of fine-grained soils. The three soils used in the study were processed silt (liquid limit, wL = 24%; plasticity index, Ip = 0; and clay = 7%), Indian Head till (wL = 35.5%, Ip = 17%, and clay = 30%), and Regina clay (wL = 75.5%, Ip = 21%, and clay = 70%). The soil-water characteristic curves for the above soils were measured in 0.5, 1, and 2 days, respectively, using the centrifuge technique for suction ranges from 0 to 600 kPa. Time periods of 2, 4–6, and 16 weeks were required for measuring the soil-water characteristic curves for the same soils using a conventional pressure plate apparatus. There is reasonably good agreement between the experimental results obtained by the centrifuge and the pressure plate methods. The results of this study are encouraging as soil-water characteristic curves can be measured in a reduced time period when using a small-scale centrifuge.Key words: unsaturated soils, soil-water characteristic curve, centrifuge technique, soil suction, matric suction, water content.

scholarly journals Effect of initial gravimetric water content and cyclic wetting-drying on soil-water characteristic curves of disintegrated carbonaceous mudstone

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 230-240
Author(s):  
Ling Zeng ◽  
Fan Li ◽  
Jie Liu ◽  
Qianfeng Gao ◽  
Hanbing Bian
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Initial Water Content ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Initial Water ◽  
Soil Water Characteristic Curves ◽  
Water Holding ◽  
Gravimetric Water Content ◽  
Plate Apparatus

Abstract The soil-water characteristic curve (SWCC) is often used to estimate unsaturated soil properties (e.g. strength, permeability, volume change, solute and thermal diffusivity). The SWCC of soil samples is significantly affected by cyclic wetting-drying. To examine how water content and cyclic wetting-drying affect the SWCC of disintegrated carbonaceous mudstone (DCM), SWCC tests were implemented using a pressure-plate apparatus. In addition, SWCC models for DCM considering the initial gravimetric water content and cyclic wetting-drying were developed. The test results showed that the volumetric water content (θ) of the DCM first decreased rapidly and then became stable as matric suction (s) increased. The initial water content affected the SWCC by altering the pore structure of the DCM. For a given number of wetting-drying cycles, the higher the initial water content, the higher the stabilized θ. At a given s value, θ decreased as the number of wetting-drying cycles increased, which suggests that cyclic wetting-drying reduces the water-holding capacity of DCM. The Gardner model for DCM was constructed considering initial water content and cyclic wetting-drying, and was effective at describing and predicting the SWCC model for DCM.

Time-domain reflectometry measurements and soil-water characteristic curves of coarse granular materials used in road pavements

2007 ◽  
Vol 44 (7) ◽  
pp. 858-872 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonas Ekblad ◽  
Ulf Isacsson
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Granular Materials ◽  
Time Domain ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Road Construction ◽  
Time Domain Reflectometry ◽  
Volumetric Water Content ◽  
Characteristic Curves ◽  
Soil Water Characteristic Curves

Coarse granular materials are used extensively in road construction. Bearing capacity can be affected by the water content in the layers of these materials. The ability to estimate water content and to infer water movements is therefore important. The purpose of the work described herein was to determine soil-water characteristic curves and the relationship between relative apparent permittivity and volumetric water content for coarse (maximum particle size 90 mm) granular materials having various gradations. The relative apparent permittivity was measured with the aid of time-domain reflectometry (TDR), and the concurrent matric suction was measured with a tensiometer. Samples were prepared in a steel box and were heavily compacted, and TDR probes and a tensiometer cup were buried within the matrix. The variation in volumetric water content with apparent relative permittivity was found to deviate from the Topp et al. relationship. Soil-water characteristic curves were described using the Brooks–Corey and van Genuchten models. A pronounced hysteresis between wetting and drying paths was observed. For the low water retention coarse materials, measurements of water content might, in general, require correction because of the nonlinear distribution of water in the sample.Key words: pavement, time-domain reflectometry, soil-water characteristic curve, granular material.

Evaluating dual porosity of pelletized diatomaceous earth using bimodal soil-water characteristic curve functions

2001 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig A Burger ◽  
Charles D Shackelford
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Diatomaceous Earth ◽  
Pore Space ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Dual Porosity ◽  
Scanning Electron Micrographs ◽  
Characteristic Curves ◽  
Soil Water Characteristic Curve ◽  
Soil Water Characteristic Curves

Soil-water characteristic curve data for specimens containing either ~1 mm or ~2 mm diameter pellets of processed diatomaceous earth are measured using a variety of methods (Tempe cell, pressure plate, filter paper, and chilled-mirror psychrometer). The measured soil-water characteristic curve data are bimodal, reflecting both the microscopic porosity region within the individual pellets, or intrapellet porosity, and the macroscopic porosity region between the pellets, or interpellet porosity. The bimodal distributions are consistent with scanning electron micrographs that show the existence of microscopic pores within each pellet, and the relatively high total porosities (0.725 and 0.764) for the coarse-grained diatomaceous earth specimens. The measured soil-water characteristic curve data are fit with modified forms of the Brooks–Corey, van Genuchten, and Fredlund–Xing soil-water characteristic curve functions to account for the bimodal shapes of the measured data. The average microscopic porosities resulting from the curve fits represent 45.0 and 47.9% of the total porosities for the two diatomaceous earth materials. These percentages of microscopic pore space are consistent with the product literature value of approximately 50% for the same materials based on mercury intrusion porosimetry. Thus, the results illustrate the application of bimodal soil-water characteristic curve functions for determining the microscopic and macroscopic portions of the total porosity of dual-porosity media, such as pelletized diatomaceous earth.Key words: bimodal soil-water characteristic curves, diatomaceous earth, dual porosity, macroporosity, microporosity, soil-water characteristic curves (SWCC), soil suction.

The Experiment on Soil Water Characteristic Curve Considering the Effect of Urea Concentration

2014 ◽  
Vol 919-921 ◽  
pp. 795-799
Author(s):  
Gai Qing Dai ◽  
Dong Fang Tian ◽  
Yao Ruan ◽  
Lang Tian ◽  
You Le Wang
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Urea Concentration ◽  
Test Method ◽  
Materials Selection ◽  
Valuable Data ◽  
Soil Water Characteristic Curve ◽  
Concentration Test ◽  
The Impact

A new soil water characteristic curve (SWCC) experiment contemplating urea concentration is presented in the paper. We focus on the impact of the SWCC considering urea concentration test method for materials selection and introduction, experimental results, and finally, we have conducted some experiments of SWCC and obtained some valuable data which could affect urea concentration. By using linear fitting, an exponential function between water content and suction and urea concentration is established.

On The Determination of The Soil-Water Characteristic Curve Using The Pressure Plate Extrator

2010 ◽  
pp. 511-514
Author(s):  
Hui Chen ◽  
Chang-Fu Wei ◽  
Rong-Tao Yan ◽  
Pan Chen ◽  
Pan-Pan Yi
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Pressure Plate ◽  
Soil Water Characteristic Curve

Soil Water Characteristic Curve and its Applications in Tunnel

2011 ◽  
Vol 261-263 ◽  
pp. 1039-1043
Author(s):  
Yu You Yang ◽  
Qin Xi Zhang ◽  
Gui He Wang ◽  
Jia Xing Yu
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Land Subsidence ◽  
Unsaturated Soil ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Tunnel Construction ◽  
Coupling Theory ◽  
Engineering Analysis ◽  
Soil Water Characteristic Curve ◽  
The Relationship

A soil water characteristic curve (SWCC) can describe the relationship between unsaturated soil matric suction and water content. By analyzing and researching the test data of the soil water characteristic curve researchers can initially establish the SWCC equation and apply this equation to the actual engineering analysis. In another words, this article is based on the fluid-solid coupling theory of unsaturated soil used to analyze and study the problem of land subsidence caused by tunnel construction. Numerical calculations show that the coupling results agree well with the measured curve works.

A new test procedure to measure the soil-water characteristic curves using a small-scale centrifuge

2020 ◽  
pp. 335-340
Author(s):  
R.M. Khanzode ◽  
D.G. Fredlund ◽  
S.K. Vanapalli
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Test Procedure ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Characteristic Curves ◽  
Soil Water Characteristic Curves

scholarly journals Soil Water Characteristic Curve Using Volumetric Pressure Plate Extractor Incorporated with TDR System

2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 17-28
Author(s):  
Young-Seok Jung ◽  
Hee-Dong Sa ◽  
Seonghun Kang ◽  
Se-Boong Oh ◽  
Jong-Sub Lee
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Pressure Plate ◽  
Soil Water Characteristic Curve

A Soil Water Characteristic Curve Model Considering Urea Concentration

2013 ◽  
Vol 798-799 ◽  
pp. 157-160
Author(s):  
You Le Wang ◽  
Dong Fang Tian ◽  
Gai Qing Dai ◽  
Yao Ruan ◽  
Lang Tian
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Exponential Function ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Urea Concentration ◽  
Exponential Functions ◽  
Valuable Data ◽  
Soil Water Characteristic Curve ◽  
Curve Model

A new soil water characteristic curve (SWCC) model considering urea concentration is presented in the paper. Two assumptions are used to obtain the model. One is SWCC which could be described by exponential functions in the experiments. Another is relationship between the parameters of exponential functions and urea concentration which is linear based on experimental data. In the research, we have carried out some experiments of SWCC and obtained some valuable data which could affect urea concentration. By using linear fitting, an exponential function between water content and suction and urea concentration is established.

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