Laboratory measurements of the erodibility of gravelly soils

The critical shear stress and erodibility of soil are fundamental parameters for modeling embankment breaching. Unfortunately, very few studies have examined the erosion characteristics of soils consisting predominantly of particles larger than sand. This report presents results of an experimental study in which the erosion characteristics of gravelly soils were measured. A flume apparatus was developed in which 0.45-m-square samples were extruded into confined flow. A mechanical laser system allowed the measurement of scour in real time, resulting in a continuous and automated erosion test. The critical shear stress of a uniform gravel was found to match the expected values based on the Shields diagram, while tests that were composed largely of gravel but contained other soils, such as sand, silt, and clay, varied significantly with the critical shear stress and erodibility, depending highly on the characteristics of the finer soils.

A Generalised Plastic Model for Gravelly Soils Considering Evolution of Void Ratio and Particle Breakage

Gravelly soils exhibit complicated mechanical behaviours closely related to particle breakage and relative density state. To better capture the mechanical responses of gravelly soils, a generalised plastic model considering evolution of void ratio and particle breakage was developed within the framework of critical state soil mechanics. In the model, particle breakage effect was described by incorporating breakage index to deviate the critical state line off the ideal position. A differential equation relating increment of void ratio to variation of volumetric strain was used to depict the evolution of current void ratio. It indirectly reflected the relative density state of gravelly soils. The model was applied to conducting numerical simulations for a series of triaxial tests on four types of gravelly soils. Comparisons between the test data and the modelling results indicated that considerations of void ratio evolution and particle breakage could better simulate the stress-dependent dilatation/contraction behaviours of gravelly soils.

Normalized Shear Modulus and Damping Ratio of Soil–Rock Mixtures With Different Volumetric Block Proportions

The volume fraction of rock blocks plays a particularly significant role in static/dynamic shear behaviors of soil–rock mixtures (SRM). Large-scale cyclic triaxial tests for SRM with different volumetric block proportions (VBPs) were performed at different confining pressures to investigate the reduction of dynamic shear modulus (G) and the increase of damping ratio (λ). Results indicate that VBP has a significant effect on the dynamic behaviors of SRM. The higher VBP is more likely to result in a gentler reduction of G and a faster increase of λ. The variations of dynamic shear modulus ratio (G/G0) and normalized damping ratio (λnor) fall within relatively narrow bands but are very different with gravelly soils and sands due to VBP with particle size larger than 2 mm. The G/G0 and λnor can be characterized by empirical functions about normalized shear strain amplitude (γnor).

Engineering Characteristics of Natural Wide Grading Gravelly Soil in Construction of Extra-High Earth-Rockfill Dam

Wide grading gravelly soil is an advantageous anti-seepage material in construction of high earth-rock dam. From the experience of earth-rockfill dam construction at home and abroad, it is more and more common to use wide grading gravelly soils such as moraine soil, weathered rock and gravel soil as anti-seepage material in construction of high earth-rockfill dams. Regarding the engineering characteristics of natural wide grading of soil material for 300m core-wall earth-rockfill dams in this paper, a series of physical and numerical tests were carried out to study its permeability and mechanical properties. By comparing the characteristics of impermeable soil materials of the projects already built and to be built at home and abroad, the preliminary indicators of impermeable soil materials are as follows: 1) Combined with the existing engineering experience and test results, the content of particles with particle size greater than 5mm should be neither over 50% nor lower than 30%. The content of particles with particle size less than 0.075mm should not be less than 15%; the content of clayey particles with particle size less than 0.005mm should not be less than 6%. 2) It is appropriate to control the permeability coefficient of impermeable soil material at less than 1×10-5cm/s.

Grassland Restoration at a Graded Ski Slope: Effects of Propagation Material and Fertilisation on Plant Cover and Vegetation

The increasing anthropisation of mountain regions is a cause of soil degradation, which needs to be addressed. Conventional methods of ski slope revegetation often fail to stabilise the soil and recover natural vegetation. To test alternative methods to create a persistent, biodiversity-friendly plant cover, different sowing (site-adapted native propagation materials vs. forage cultivars vs. no sowing) and fertilisation treatments were compared over nine years at a graded ski slope. Because of the gravelly soil, the ninth-year plant cover was only 65%, which was sufficient to prevent erosion. All native propagation materials were equally efficient at recreating a semi-natural grassland. Except for Festuca rubra, the forage cultivars did not persist. However, native volunteer species from close natural ecosystems efficiently colonised plots sown with forage cultivars and plots that were not sown. This resulted in a lower plant cover but a high similarity to the surrounding vegetation. Fertilisation had a positive but transient effect on plant cover and a little negative effect on species richness. High-altitude sites with gravelly soils should be revegetated with native propagation materials. Using forage cultivars can attain a persistent plant cover only if the sown non-persistent cultivars are replaced by the species arriving from nearby surrounding vegetation.