Comparison between the predictive modified Kovács model and a simplified one-point method measurement to estimate the water retention curve

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe modified Kovács (MK) model can predict fairly well the water retention curve (WRC) of different types of soils, using basic geotechnical properties. Considering its relative simplicity and its ability, a study was initiated to compare this model to an alternative predictive approach involving a one-point measurement method (OPMM). The comparison result indicates that there is generally a good agreement between volumetric water content values predicted using the OPMM and the MK model and those obtained from direct measurements. However, the OPMM typically leads to a better correlation than the predicted values obtained with the MK model for cohesive fine-grained soils because shrinkage induced by suction is not taken into account. Hence, the MK model is deemed as a valuable tool that gives realistic estimates of the WRC using easy to obtain basic geotechnical parameters, when there is no direct measurement available for a point on the WRC, and this predictive model can be particularly useful at the preliminary phase of a project.