Abstract
The soil-rock mixture is an important construction material in practical engineering. Its physical properties, especially soil-water properties, are particularly important for on-site construction, while both matrix suction and electrical resistivity in unsaturated soils depend on the magnitude of moisture content, and a certain relationship can be established between the two physical quantities. Therefore, in this paper, we designed a matrix suction–electrical resistivity synergistic test device and conducted indoor physical tests on common soil-rock mixtures in the Chongqing area to investigate the correlation between matrix suction and electrical resistivity in soil-rock mixtures. The electrical resistivity comprehensive parameter was used to represent the electrical resistivity characteristics of rock and soil. Based on the experimental results, a matrix suction–electrical resistivity comprehensive parameter model applicable to soil-rock mixtures was established, and the sensitivity analysis of the model parameters was carried out. The results show that the soil-water characteristic curve of the soil-rock mixture has a double-step shape, and the shape of the curve under different compaction degrees is similar. The matrix suction and mass moisture content of the soil-rock mixture were positively correlated with the compaction degree. There was good consistency between the experimentally measured matrix suction and the matrix suction reflected by the electrical resistivity in the model. Moreover, the model curve was able to reflect the drainage process of pores in the soil for soil–stone mixtures with a bimodal pore size distribution, thus providing a new way to measure the matrix suction of unsaturated soil–stone mixtures in practical engineering.
Highlights
Geotechnical bodies exist mostly in unsaturated form in nature as well as in geotechnical engineering
Soil water characteristic curves (SWCC) are an important way to determine the properties of unsaturated soils and are usually used to describe the relationship between the moisture content or saturation of unsaturated soils and their matrix suction [1,2]
Compaction degree, known as compaction coefficient, is the ratio of the actual dry density of the fill to the maximum dry density, and the compaction coefficient of each dry density of the fill to the maximum dry density, and the compaction coefficient of each specimen is calculated according to Equation (3)
Summary
Geotechnical bodies exist mostly in unsaturated form in nature as well as in geotechnical engineering. In studies related to unsaturated soils, matrix suction is the fundamental characteristic used to distinguish saturated from unsaturated soils. Soil water characteristic curves (SWCC) are an important way to determine the properties of unsaturated soils and are usually used to describe the relationship between the moisture content or saturation of unsaturated soils and their matrix suction [1,2]. Hedayati et al [5] compared SWCC measured in the laboratory and obtained in the field, and found that the laboratory data had better consistency with the saturation-based curves in the field. Wang et al [6] applied the filter paper method and the centrifugal method measurement of SWCC to study soil–water characteristics under different conditions. Experimental data on SWCC of unsaturated soils are still in the research stage. Ren et al [8], based on an analysis of SWCC shape characteristics, provided an innovative method for predicting more reliable
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
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
