Predicting the permeability function for unsaturated soils using the soil-water characteristic curve

1994 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 533-546 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.G. Fredlund ◽  
Anqing Xing ◽  
Shangyan Huang
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Unsaturated Soil ◽  
Unsaturated Soils ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Degree Of Saturation ◽  
Residual Water ◽  
Soil Water Characteristic Curve ◽  
Coefficient Of Permeability ◽  
Permeability Function

The coefficient of permeability for an unsaturated soil is primarily determined by the pore-size distribution of the soil and can be predicted from the soil-water characteristic curve. A general equation, which describes the soil-water characteristic curve over the entire suction range (i.e., from 0 to 106 kPa), was proposed by the first two authors in another paper. This equation is used to predict the coefficient of permeability for unsaturated soils. By using this equation, an evaluation of the residual water content is no longer required in the prediction of the coefficient of permeability. The proposed permeability function is an integration form of the suction versus water content relationship. The proposed equation has been best fit with example data from the literature where both the soil-water characteristic curve and the coefficient of permeability were measured. The fit between the data and the theory was excellent. It was found that the integration can be done from zero water content to the saturated water content. Therefore, it is possible to use the normalized water content (volumetric or gravimetric) or the degree of saturation data versus suction in the prediction of the permeability function. Key words : coefficient of permeability, soil-water characteristic curve, unsaturated soil, water content, soil suction.

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.

scholarly journals Estimation of air permeability function from soil-water characteristic curve

2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 505-513
Author(s):  
Qian Zhai ◽  
Harianto Rahardjo ◽  
Alfrendo Satyanaga
Keyword(s):  
Distribution Function ◽  
Pore Size Distribution ◽  
Pore Size ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Unsaturated Soil ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Air Permeability ◽  
Size Distribution Function ◽  
Soil Water Characteristic Curve ◽  
Permeability Function

The multiphase flow (including liquid flow and air flow) in unsaturated soil is related to many engineering problems such as contaminant transport, rainwater infiltration, and soil-water evaporation. It is proven that water flow in unsaturated soil can be estimated using the concept of the pore-size distribution function. Many models have been proposed to estimate the water flow or water permeability function, kw, from the soil-water characteristic curve (SWCC). On the other hand, a limited model has been proposed to estimate the air flow or air permeability function, ka, from the SWCC. Most of the models used for the estimation of the air permeability functions are empirical, and they are dependent on the empirical parameters. In this paper, the relative air coefficient of permeability was estimated using the concept of the pore-size distribution function. In the method proposed in this paper, no empirical parameters were adopted, and the estimation results purely depended on the soil-water characteristic curve. The proposed method was verified against experimental data from published literature.

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.

Study on the Test of Soil Water Characteristic Curve

2011 ◽  
Vol 261-263 ◽  
pp. 1094-1098
Author(s):  
Yu You Yang ◽  
Qin Xi Zhang ◽  
Gui He Wang ◽  
Chen Liu
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Unsaturated Soil ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Mathematic Model ◽  
Matric Suction ◽  
Engineering Properties ◽  
Soil Water Characteristic Curve ◽  
Van Genuchten Model ◽  
The Relationship

The test of soil water characteristic curve (SWCC) and its mathematic model are present. The SWCC can describe the relationship between unsaturated soil matric suction and water content. Matric suction is an important parameter to address when studying the engineering properties of unsaturated soil. And while the measurement of substrate attraction is a very difficult issue, it is also one of the biggest obstacles in the engineering applications of unsaturated soil. By analyzing and researching the test data of SWCC researchers can initially establish the mathematic model which is the SWCC equation. The Van Genuchten model and the Fredlund and Xing model were used to simulate better the changes between the volume water content and the matric suction. Predictions were compared with experimental results to determine the simulation capability of the model for the soil of Beijing.

The relationship of the unsaturated soil shear strength to the soil-water characteristic curve

1996 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 440-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
D G Fredlund ◽  
Anqing Xing ◽  
M D Fredlund ◽  
S L Barbour
Keyword(s):  
Shear Strength ◽  
Prediction Model ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Unsaturated Soil ◽  
Unsaturated Soils ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Strength Function ◽  
Soil Parameters ◽  
Angle Of Internal Friction ◽  
Soil Water Characteristic Curve

The measurement of soil parameters, such as the permeability and shear strength functions, used to describe unsaturate soil behaviour can be expensive, difficult, and often impractical to obtain. This paper proposes a model for predicting the shear strength (versus matric suction) function of unsaturated soils. The prediction model uses the soil-water characteristic curve and the shear strength parameters of the saturated soil (i.e., effective cohesion and effective angle of internal friction). Once a reasonable estimate of the soil-water characteristic curve is obtained, satisfactory predictions of the shear strength function can be made for the unsaturated soil. Closed-form solutions for the shear strength function of unsaturated soils are obtained for cases where a simple soil-water characteristic equation is used in the prediction model. Key words: soil suction, soil-water characteristic curve, shear strength function, unsaturated soil.

Research on Soil-Water Characteristic Curve of Unsaturated Mixed-Soil in West Sichuan

2013 ◽  
Vol 353-356 ◽  
pp. 996-1000
Author(s):  
Wei Guang Zhou ◽  
Yu Long Bao ◽  
Hong Bin Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Unsaturated Soils ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Clay Content ◽  
Dry Density ◽  
Residual Moisture ◽  
Soil Water Characteristic Curve ◽  
Physical Form ◽  
Physical Composition

A series of tests are conducted to get the physical composition, physical form and the soil-water characteristic curve in different dry density of three typical composite unsaturated soils in west Sichuan. Test data shows that the variation of physical composition, particle size and dry density can result in great change of soil-water characteristic curve. The bigger the dry density is, the more hydrophilic mineral the soil has, the more gentle the soil-water characteristic curve is, and the higher its residual moisture content is. In addition, under the same water content, matrix suction decreases with less clay content and more content. For the three typical composite unsaturated soils, with relatively bigger water content, the change of soil-water characteristic curve resulting from variation of dry density is less, but with the water content getting smaller, the change becomes clearer.

scholarly journals Collapse behaviour of unsaturated compacted soil with different initial densities

2007 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 673-686 ◽  
Author(s):  
De'an Sun ◽  
Daichao Sheng ◽  
Yongfu Xu
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Unsaturated Soils ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Initial Density ◽  
Degree Of Saturation ◽  
Triaxial Tests ◽  
Compacted Soil ◽  
Soil Water Characteristic Curve ◽  
Volume Decrease

Very few experimental data on the mechanical behaviour of unsaturated soils exists, particularly on the collapse behaviour under general stress states, because of the technical difficulties and time-consuming nature of measuring suction and deformation. This paper presents the results of a series of controlled-suction triaxial tests on the collapse behaviour of an unsaturated compacted clay with different initial dry densities and suctions. The collapse behaviour here includes deformation characteristics, such as volume changes, and hydraulic characteristics, such as saturation changes. It is found that the wetting-caused collapse mainly depends on the mean net stress and the initial density, and that the volume decrease reaches a maximum when the specimen is under the initial yielding mean net stress. It is also found that the soil-water characteristic curve in terms of suction and degree of saturation shifts upwards with increasing specimen density. The soil-water characteristic curve of a compacted soil mainly depends upon the current density, not directly upon the stress state. In addition, experimental data show that the collapse occurs mainly in an intermediate range of suction levels, which are neither very high nor very low, and that the wetting-caused volume decrease is accompanied by an increase in the degree of saturation.Key words: unsaturated soil, density, triaxial test, suction, collapse, degree of saturation.

Nineteenth Canadian Geotechnical Colloquium: The soil-water characteristic curve: a historical perspective

1998 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 873-894 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Lee Barbour
Keyword(s):  
Shear Strength ◽  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Unsaturated Soils ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Constitutive Relationship ◽  
Water Phase ◽  
Degree Of Saturation ◽  
Capillary Model ◽  
Soil Water Characteristic Curve

The constitutive relationship between water content or degree of saturation and suction is called the soil-water characteristic curve. The soil-water characteristic curve provides a conceptual framework in which the behavior of unsaturated soils can be understood. A historical review illustrates how the work of early researchers in soil science and geotechnical engineering laid the foundation for our current understanding of this relationship. Key elements of these early studies were a conceptual understanding of the soil-water characteristic curve as a relationship between the mass or volume of water stored within the soil and the energy in the water phase. It was on the basis of this conceptual model that current methods of measuring the soil-water characteristic curve were developed. Interpretative models for the distribution and geometry of the water phase in an unsaturated soil based on the capillary model have provided a useful conceptual model for understanding the effects of soil texture, gradation, void ratio, and compaction on the soil-water characteristic curve. The capillary model has also provided the foundation for recently developed techniques to predict the functional relationship between degree of saturation and shear strength, coefficient of permeability, coefficient of diffusion, and adsorption for unsaturated soils.Key words: unsaturated soils, soil-water characteristic curve, suction, shear strength, permeability, contaminant transport.

Study on the Tests of Soil-Water Characteristic Curves of Unsaturated Soil

2013 ◽  
Vol 353-356 ◽  
pp. 16-19
Author(s):  
Xian Chun Zheng ◽  
Fang Zhao ◽  
Si Zhong Sun
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Unsaturated Soil ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Initial Water Content ◽  
Initial Water ◽  
Soil Water Characteristic Curve ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Practical Engineering ◽  
Matrix Suction

Soil-water characteristic curve is used to describe the matrix suction and water content of the curve of the relationship between volume, according to the soil-water characteristic curve can be deduced the unsaturated soil shear strength, permeability coefficient, etc., this paper gives the different initial water content and different types of soil, soil-water characteristic curve for practical engineering foundation reinforcement to provide reference.

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