Temporal Characteristics of Desiccation Cracking and Resistivity of Lateritic Soil in Drying Process

Abstract

To describe and measure the initiation and development of desiccation cracks in lateritic soil and to discuss the relationship between crack ratio and resistivity, three parallel specimens are prepared and dried under different temperatures and humidity. The geoelectrical resistivity technique combined with image processing method is applied. Water content, surface crack ratio, and electrical resistivity are monitored during the drying path. Results indicate that the calculated surface crack ratios can be identified on the basis of five distinct stages. The occurrence of the first crack in three specimens indicates that the first cracking time occurs earlier with increasing temperature and decreasing relative humidity. The time that crack ratios stabilize indicates that environmental parameters significantly influence crack evolution. The temporal characteristics of resistivity can also be identified on the basis of five distinct stages. The resistivity and crack ratio can be effectively described by a mathematical equation, which is considered as the basis for the use of the geoelectrical technique for the assessment of the temporal variability of soil desiccation cracking.