Abstract
The purpose is to study the microstructure and macroscopic fluid-dynamic behavior of soft soil after it has been subjected to a seepage consolidation procedure. First, the microscopic pore structure of soft clay is quantitatively studied by a scanning electron microscope technique. Second, the average contact area rate of soil particles is obtained employing statistical analysis applied to microscopic images of soft soil, and the macroscopic porosity of soft clay is determined through an indoor geotechnical test. Finally, mathematical relationships are introduced by fitting the results of the test. The results show that the unmodified empirical equation for the permeability coefficient of coarse-grained soil produces large errors in calculations related to cohesive soils. By contrast, the permeability coefficient calculated by the empirical equation modified by the average contact area ratio theory is in good agreement with the measured average value of the indoor test.
Highlights
The characteristics of the microstructure of soil have important practical significance in engineering
The purpose of the previous research on the microstructure of soil is to explore the influence of internal factors on external physical and mechanical properties, and find out the internal relationship between microstructure and macroscopic mechanical parameters
The value range of the soft soil in Region 3 is about 0.85~0.95, and the change is in the range of 0.1
Summary
The characteristics of the microstructure of soil have important practical significance in engineering. A large number of studies show that the state and change of the microstructure of soil affect mechanical properties [1]. Many facts prove that the mechanical properties of soil depend essentially on its microstructure [2,3]. The purpose of the previous research on the microstructure of soil is to explore the influence of internal factors on external physical and mechanical properties, and find out the internal relationship between microstructure and macroscopic mechanical parameters. The macroscopic mechanical properties of soil are extremely complex, and they cannot be properly analyzed by traditional methods [4]. Soil structure refers to the form of arrangement, void properties, soil particles, or the interaction between particles and fabric [5]. The fuzziness and uncertainty of physical and mechanical behavior are embodied at the macro level
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