Abstract

Hydraulic anisotropy behavior of unsaturated soil has not been fully investigated. Direct laboratory measurement and indirect determination of hydraulic anisotropy under a drying condition were carried out on statically compacted specimens having different initial conditions. Direct measurement of permeability was carried out using an unsaturated triaxial permeameter whereas indirect determination of permeability was performed through statistical estimation via a measured drying soil–water characteristic curve (SWCC). In this research, two orientations — specifically horizontal-layering (HL) and vertical-layering (VL) orientations — were prepared for a given specimen from statically compacted homogeneous sand–kaolin. The results from both direct measurement and indirect determination of hydraulic anisotropy were in good agreement. Hydraulic anisotropy under an unsaturated condition was found to be similar with that in a saturated condition. Moreover, hydraulic anisotropy was reflected in the ratio of transient time during the direct measurements of HL and VL specimens at high matric suctions. In contrast, in the indirect method, hydraulic anisotropy was reflected in the ratio of equalization time during SWCC tests at matric suctions higher than the air-entry value of the soil.

Highlights

  • Hydraulic characteristics of soil are described mainly by its permeability and its soil-water characteristic curve (SWCC)

  • Direct and indirect laboratory measurements on hydraulic anisotropy during unsaturated conditions are widely-known to have long testing duration, this study focuses on one soil type i.e. statically compacted sand-kaolin mixtures, but having two different initial conditions

  • The grain-size distribution (GSD) curve illustrates that 20-30 Ottawa sand predominantly consists of medium-sized sand whereas L2-grade kaolin mainly consists of silt-sized particles

Read more

Summary

Introduction

Hydraulic characteristics of soil are described mainly by its permeability and its soil-water characteristic curve (SWCC). On the other hand in the indirect method, hydraulic anisotropy was reflected in the ratio of equalization time during SWCC tests at matric suctions higher than the air-entry value of the soil.

Results
Conclusion

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.