Soil Strength Index Research Articles

Investigation of planar sliding deformation and analysis of the damage mechanism of a rocky landslide in Yaoping triggered by highway excavation in Hubei, China

During projects to build roads in China's mountainous areas, which are often characterized by the poor stability of rocky slopes, cases of deformation damage occur frequently. Because of the wide distribution of rocky landslides in the smooth layer, the unavoidable perturbation caused by engineering construction and the seriousness of landslide disasters, the destruction of this type of landslide and the research into prevention of the mechanism cannot be ignored. On 6 February 2023, a rock slide occurred in Yaoping village, Hubei Province, China. Using field investigations, Google satellite images, unmanned aerial vehicle photography, indoor testing and numerical simulations, we analysed the geological situation, deformation characteristics, damage process and triggering mechanism. The results show that the Yaoping landslide is a typical downward plane-sliding rock slide induced by the excavation of a highway. When strain softening occurs, the shear strength and friction coefficient of the slip zone soil are significantly reduced. Excavation caused the factor of safety of the slope to decrease substantially, with a maximum decrease rate of 60.7%. Excavation is considered to be the extrinsic factor that triggered the occurrence of the Yaoping landslide, while the reduction of landslide resistance caused by strain softening of the soil in the slip zone is the intrinsic direct factor that led to the occurrence of this type of landslide. The Yaoping landslide has obvious traction landslide characteristics. The landslide from deformation to destruction has four stages: creep at the leading edge of the landslide; traction deformation in the middle and back of the landslide; slip belt softening; and integral sliding. The prevention and control of this type of landslide requires a larger scope and depth of investigation, in order to identify in advance the possible soft surface in the rock layer, to speculate on the possible formation of landslide destruction mode, and to determine the support scheme and scope according to the geological conditions of the slopes on both sides of the highway. The slip zone soil of the Yaoping landslide was used to obtain the strength index of slip zone soil, which provides data support for the overall deformation characterization of the landslide. The results can provide a reference for the risk management and prevention of rock slides caused by human engineering activities during the excavation of roads.

Triaxial Test and Discrete Element Numerical Simulation of Geogrid-Reinforced Clay Soil

Indoor triaxial tests on geogrid-reinforced clay elucidate the macroscopic changes in soil strength indices post-reinforcement, yet the underlying mechanisms of strength enhancement require further investigation. By conducting indoor triaxial tests and establishing a corresponding discrete element numerical model, we can delve into the fine-scale mechanisms of geogrid-reinforced soil. This includes analyzing changes in fine-scale parameters such as porosity, the coordination number, and contact stress between soil particles. The findings suggest that an increase in the number of geogrid reinforcement layers leads to a more pronounced improvement in peak strength and cohesion, albeit with minimal impact on the internal friction angle of the specimens. Furthermore, analysis of the triaxial test curves of reinforced soils indicates that the stress–strain relationship adheres to the Duncan–Chang model. Parameters derived from this model have been validated against experimental data, confirming their accuracy. The discrete element model was used to analyze the variations in fine-scale parameters such as porosity and coordination number. It revealed that reinforcement reduces the fluctuation amplitude of porosity and significantly increases the number of particle contacts, resulting in a denser soil structure. Further analysis of the change in contact stress between particles in the discrete element model revealed that the contact force between particles increased significantly after reinforcement and that the reinforcement played a role in restraining the soil particles and dispersing the reinforcement stress, which explains the increase in the strength of the mesh-reinforced clays from another perspective. This further elucidates the strength enhancement mechanism in geogrid-reinforced clay, offering a new perspective on the mechanical behavior and strength development of such materials.

Triaxial compression test of coarse-grained soil in waste dump under different consolidation stresses conditions

In order to explore the mechanical response characteristics of coarse-grained soil in waste dump under different consolidation stress conditions, the isobaric consolidation drained triaxial test and K0 consolidation drainage triaxial test under different confining pressures are performed, and the test data of stress-strain and volume deformation of soil are compared and analysed. The results show that the initial stress of soil under K0 consolidation condition is not zero. The shear stress-strain curves of soil with different consolidation conditions show hardening characteristics. When confining pressure increases, the shear stress of isobaric consolidated soil increases rapidly, and its failure shear stress increases significantly compared with K0 consolidated soil. Shear expansion of coarse-grained soil under low confining pressure and shear shrinkage under high confining pressure. Under low confining pressure, K0 consolidated soil is more prone to shear expansion, and the amount of shear expansion is greater than that of isobaric consolidated soil. Under medium and high confining pressure, the volume compression change of isobaric consolidated soil is greater than that of K0 consolidated soil. The initial tangent Poisson’s ratio of coarse-grained soil under different consolidation stress conditions decreases with the increase of confining pressure, and changes in a power function with the confining pressure. The cohesion of soil under isobaric consolidation stress condition, while the difference of internal friction angle of soil under different consolidation stress condition is small. The strength and deformation characteristics of soil are closely related to the initial stress state of soil. The triaxial test is used to obtain the shear strength index of soil, and the isobaric consolidation condition should not be used instead of K0 consolidation condition.

Experimental Study on Repairing the Mechanical Characteristics of Oil-Contaminated Silty Clay in Ancient Dike with Modified Lime Mortar.

Flood-controlled ancient dikes play a significant role in flood control and have received widespread attention as historical and cultural symbols. Flood-controlled ancient dikes often undergo disasters, and research on their repair is receiving increasing attention from experts and scholars. This article studies the control of seepage and bank slope instability in flood-controlled ancient dikes. Starting from the repair of ancient dike materials, three types of work are carried out: a test of soil's mechanical properties, finite element numerical simulation, and repair technology research. The research results show that the soil of the ancient dike site has hardened after being contaminated with waste oil from catering. The strength index of the ancient dike soil decreases and shows brittleness when the water content is 15% and the oil content exceeds 6%. The strength index and permeability coefficient of oil-contaminated soil improved using modified lime mortar (MLM), which was achieved using the method of MLM to repair oil contaminated soil. When the MLM content was 10% and the oil content was 6%, the friction angle of the soil sample reached its maximum value. When the MLM content was the same, the higher the density of the soil sample, the greater the friction angle and cohesion and the smaller the permeability coefficient. Establishing a finite element numerical model, through comparative analysis, it was found that after MLM remediation of oil-contaminated soil, the extreme hydraulic gradient of the ancient dike decreased by 31.3%, and the extreme safety factor of the bank slope stability increased by 31.2%. MLM pressure grouting technology was used to improve the soil during the remediation of contaminated soil at the ancient dike site. Through on-site drilling inspection, the effective diffusion radius of MLM grouting was obtained, and the plane layout and grouting depth of MLM pressure grouting were determined. The on-site water injection permeability test showed that using MLM pressure grouting technology can effectively repair oil-contaminated soil in the ancient dike while reducing the permeability coefficient by 8-15%.

Triaxial test and microstructure analysis of soil from alkali contaminated sites

The protection of site cultural relics is facing great challenges of site soil instability and contamination. Targeting at the special geological environment of Kaifeng region, the affecting laws of different concentrations of alkali on mechanical properties of site soil in this region are studied in this paper. The triaxial test is conducted to study the mechanical properties of site soil, including its failure pattern, stress-strain relationship, stress path and strength index, etc. The X-ray diffraction test and scanning electron microscope test are used to analyze the composition, particle state, and pore characteristics of the soil before and after contamination, and to evaluate the stability of the site soil. At the site combining with microstructure changes and macro mechanical properties. The results show that, from the macroscopic surface, with the increase of alkali concentration, the failure shear plane usually appears along the 45° direction. From the perspective of mechanical properties, the stress-strain relationship of the site soil is caused by the strengthening of soil deformation, and the alkali concentration increases, and the curve gradually develops from hardening type to softening type. The stress path is the line connecting the points in the sequence of the stress change process, which is different, and the corresponding soil deformation and strength characteristics will also appear very different. The stress path of soil with different alkali concentration is different. Under the same σ3 condition, the stress σ1 is different. The stress change is expressed in macroscopic terms as different forms of soil damage. Under 0 % concentration, the strength index of soil is 82.14 kPa, 21.67°, and the alkali concentration is 4–16 %, the internal friction Angle is gradually increased, and the cohesion is slightly reduced. From the micro perspective, the main components of the contaminated site soil are SiO2, Al2O3, CaO and Fe2O3. In the process of alkali-soil reaction, alkali reacts with oxides in soil to form Na2AlO2, which has a certain cementation effect. SiO2 reacts with NaOH solution to generate Na2SiO3, which has strong cohesiveness and strength. The newly generated cementing material in the soil increases, and the bonding force between particles increases. In addition, some cements fill the inner pores and improve the shear strength of soil. Under the same pressure, the stress-strain curve of soil gradually developed from hardening type to softening type with the increase of alkali concentration. In the stress-strain curve of soil, with the increase of alkali concentration, the soil reaches the strength at failure under small deformation. The increase of alkali concentration reduces the plasticity and increases the brittleness of soil. At this time, if the stress is localized, shear bands will appear and the stability of soil will decrease. The study of soil properties changes caused by different alkali pollution concentrations can provide a scientific basis for the reinforcement and protection of soil sites or ancient cultural foundations in Kaifeng area.

Study on Strength Attenuation Characteristics of Residual Expansive Soil under Wetting-Drying Cycles and Low Stress and Its Relationship with Shallow Landslide

The rapid development of expansive soil fissures and the attenuation of strength under the action of repeated atmospheric wetting-drying cycles have a very adverse impact on the shallow stability of expansive soil slope. In this study, shear strength test and fissure observation test were performed on typical residual expansive soil specimens at various wetting-drying cycles and low stress. The results show that the shear strength index of residual expansive soil should be obtained according to the high and low stress sections, respectively. The cohesion of the three residual expansive soils decreased to a similar low value range (0~5 kN) at multiple wetting-drying cycles and low stress; the attenuation of cohesion is the main cause of shallow slope collapse. The fissure rate of the specimen surface increases with the increasing number of wetting-drying cycles, and increasing the dry density can significantly inhibit the development of fissures. The repeated wetting-drying cycles leads to the rapid development of slope fissures from the surface to the inside, destroys the internal natural structure of undisturbed expansive soil, reduces the cementation between soil particles, and leads to the decrease of soil cohesion. For slope stability analysis of residual expansive soil, the strength parameters of the specimens with multiple wetting-drying cycles and internal fissure network should be selected according to the overburden pressure of the slope sliding surface. The research results provide a theoretical basis for the stability analysis of shallow landslide of expansive soil slope and slope protection design.

Formulas for Uniaxial Capacities of Tetrapod Bucket Foundations Considering Group Effects in Undrained Clay

Suction bucket foundation is a novel and cheaper foundation used in marine structures, such as offshore wind turbines, breakwater and oil platforms. Compared with a single bucket foundation, tetrapod bucket foundations can bear larger loads because of the group effects. However, the vertical, horizontal and moment capacity factors of tetrapod bucket foundations have not been presented in existing specifications. A series of three-dimensional finite-element analyses were conducted to investigate the group effects on uniaxial capacities and failure mechanisms of tetrapod bucket foundations in undrained clay considering various foundation separation distance ratios, embedment depth ratios, soil-strength heterogeneity indices and load direction angles. Generalized formulas for undrained uniaxial capacities of tetrapod bucket foundations were proposed in order to establish a bridge connecting the capacities of tetrapod bucket foundations and those of the single bucket foundation, which can provide a reference for industrial designs of capacities of tetrapod bucket foundations. The results show that the vertical group effect factor of tetrapod bucket foundations is basically not affected by the foundation separation distance ratio, embedment depth ratio, soil-strength heterogeneity index and load direction angle, which can adopted 0.9 based on a conservative estimation. The normalized horizontal and moment group effect factors of tetrapod bucket foundations are both affected by the separation distance ratio, embedment depth ratio and soil-strength heterogeneity index, but the moment group effect factor is also obviously affected by the load direction angle. The value of the horizontal and moment capacity factors of tetrapod bucket foundations are about 2.3 and 13.8 times that of a single bucket foundation, respectively, when the separation distance ratio is 3.5, embedment depth ratio is 1.0 and soil-strength heterogeneity index is 10, which have both been significantly enhanced. A value of 3.5 is suggested for the separation distance ratio to attain good capacities and a relatively high global stiffness for the tetrapod bucket foundations.

Study on slope stability during tunnel construction in water rich soft soil area

Based on the relationship between soil strength index and water content, the stability of tunnel portal slope during tunnel excavation in water rich soft soil area is analyzed according to the change of soil water content under different working conditions during tunnel construction. The results show that the strength index of soil decreases in inverse proportion with the increase of saturation. Reasonable excavation speed or effective dewatering measures are conducive to the self stability of the open cut slope. When the duration of heavy rainfall does not exceed 2 h, the slope is in a stable state; when the duration reaches 10 h, the slope enters the limit equilibrium state; when the duration reaches 18 h, the slope enters the failure state.

Comparison of artificial neural network (ANN) and linear regression modeling with residual errors to predict the unconfined compressive strength and compression index for Erbil City soils, Kurdistan-Iraq

The focus of this research is to develop models for predicting the unconfined compressive strength and compression index (Cc) of clay soils according to Atterberg limits, natural water content, dry density, void ratio, and fine content. The soil unconfined compressive strength (UCS) ranged from 24 to 340 kPa and has been quantified with great precision using tested data and data collected from published research studies. The soil compression index ranged from 0.014 to 0.831 which is also correlated by the easily measurable soil properties of Atterberg limits, natural moisture content, density, void ratio, and fine contents (passes no. 200 sieves). A wide experimental test results (a total of 253 tested soils) were combined with more than 350 data collected from different academic research studies, and total data were statistically analyzed and modeled using a linear regression model (LR). According to the correlation determination (R2), mean absolute error (MAE), and the root mean square error (RMSE), the unconfined compressive strength and compression index of soil can be well predicted in terms of liquid limit (LL), plasticity index (PI), moisture content (MC), dry density (γd), void ratio, and percentage passing no. 200 sieve using linear simulation techniques. The performance of the LR models was compared using artificial neural networks (ANN) models with different hidden layers and input layers. Based on the statistical assessments such as R2, RMSE, and MAE the LR models were close to the ANN model to predict the UCS and Cc of the soils. The sensitivity study concludes that the dry density and void ratio are the most influential parameter in determining the unconfined compressive strength and compression index with the training dataset.

Experimental Study on Shear Behavior of Expansive Soil Modified by Gravel Sand

Using the strain-controlled direct shear equipment, some direct shear experiments were carried out on the soil samples of Nanyang expansive soil with different gravel ratios under the specific water content, and the shear strength, cohesion and internal friction angle of the expansive soil samples were studied. The experimental results show that the shear strength of the expansive soil samples increases with the increase of vertical pressure. As the proportion of gravel sand increases, the shear strength of expansive soil samples increases to varying degrees. The shear strength of expansive soil increases significantly when the proportion of gravel sand is in the range of 10%~40%, and the shear strength of remolded soil is the highest when the gravel sand content is 10% under the lower vertical pressure. Under the higher vertical pressure, the shear strength of the remolded soil is the largest when the gravel content is 20%, and the shear strength of expansive soil is close to that of pure expansive soil when the proportion of gravel sand is 50%. The cohesive force of the sample increases first and then decreases sharply with the increase of the proportion of gravel sand, and is maximum when the content of gravel sand is 10%. The internal friction angle increases first and then decreases slowly with the increase of the proportion of gravel sand, and is maximum when the gravel sand content is 40%. The results show that gravel sand can effectively enhance the shear strength index of expansive soil, which can be used as a good engineering application material for improving expansive soil.

Study on the strength influence of pile driving disturbance on the surrounding soil

The research on the strength influence of pile driving disturbance on the surrounding soil on marine environment is very less. This article is an actual pile driving project in the sea, the soil samplings with different distance from pile was taken and some laboratory test was done, the influence of soil property when pile driving is founded. According to the experimental results, the shear stress parameter and unconfined compressive strength index of soil in the hole increased with the increase of drilling depth, and the unconfined compressive strength index of soil in the hole nearly returned to the level of undisturbed soil 39 days after piling.

Experimental study on shear strength of clay under load

In order to truly reflect the shear strength index of soil in the project, the engineering soil sample was loaded and unloaded on a compression instrument, and then the shear strength τ of the excavated sample was measured by direct shear test, the shear strength of the soil sample without loading and unloading was compared with that of the soil sample without loading and unloading, and the influence of loading and unloading on the shear strength was analyzed. The results show that the shear strength of cohesive soil decreases within 2 % after loading and unloading, but the shear strength decreases with the increase of compressive stress.

Experimental study of the mechanical properties of expansive soil with added nanomaterials

The main purpose of this paper is to describe ways to improve the microstructure of expansive soil by adding nanomaterials. Mechanical tests were done to explore the changes in shear strength and compression index of expansive soil that was modified by adding different amounts of two kinds of nanomaterials (nano-alumina and nano-silica). The test results show that adding 1.2% nano-alumina and about 2% nano-silica to expansive soil provides the optimal compression index. The test results show that adding 1.2% nano-alumina and about 1.5% nano-silica to expansive soil provides the optimal unconfined compression stress. Scanning electron microscopy of the microstructure of expansive soil modified by nanomaterials provided a deeper understanding of the effects of nanomaterials on improving expansive soil.

Impact of soil compaction due to wheel traffic on corn and soybean growth, development and yield

As the size and weight of agricultural equipment have increased significantly in the past few decades, the severity and depth of compacted zone may have increased proportionately. Past research indicates that soil compaction affects crop growth and grain yield. Very few studies have been conducted in North Dakota (ND) to understand soil compaction under the current machinery, and its effect on crop growth and yield. The research was conducted on a no-till crop field at Jamestown, ND, USA for 2013 (corn) and 2014 (soybean) growing season. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of wheel traffic on soil strength indices and its impact on crop emergence, development and yield. The study also evaluated the effect of winter freezing-thawing cycle on soil compaction in the study field. The experiment consisted of five soil transects and two traffic conditions based on machinery traffic in the field for both years such as most trafficked (MT) rows and least trafficked (LT) rows, laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replicates in strip-plot with space for corn season in 2013, and for soybean season in 2014. Data collected included soil resistance or cone index (CI), soil bulk density, soil moisture content, plant emergence, plant height and grain yield. The results showed that CI values followed a similar pattern for different soil transects up to 37.5 cm depth and then increased sharply. An average CI of 1.19 MPa was noted over the whole profile at 0–45 cm depth for the study area and not significantly different between MT and LT rows for both years. Moderate compaction resulted in early emergence of corn plants in MT rows by 175% compared to LT rows. The plant height didn’t show any significant difference between MT and LT rows for both years. The yield data showed significant difference between the soil transects, but no difference was observed between MT and LT rows in both 2013 and 2014 season. The interactions between soil transects and traffic conditions were not significantly different for all soil and plant related dependent variables. The freeze-thaw cycle occurred during winter from 2013 to 2014 and 2014 to 2015 alleviated soil resistance over the whole soil profile at 0–45 cm depth. Results show that different crops grown in a no till field are not very much influenced by wheel traffic. The study also suggests that moderate compaction occurred after harvest in a no till field could be alleviated by the effect of freeze thaw cycle.

Effects of homogeneous hydrocarbonic contamination on the bearing capacity of in-situ concrete piles buried in silty sand

So far, many researches have been done on the effects of hydrocarbon (especially oil) contamination on such soil strength and geotechnical indices as cohesion, angle of internal friction, shear strength, permeability, dry density, and so on. In the present research, effort has been made to model buried concrete piles with known dimensions, and study the effects of the length and diameter ratios (L/L0 and D/D0) on their load bearing capacity using the results of previous researches, the values of the geotechnical and strength parameters of oil-contaminated silty sand (SM) specimens, and the PLAXIS 2D Software. Results have shown that with an increase in the percent hydrocarbon contamination, the ultimate load bearing capacity of a pile follows a gradual decreasing trend. Again, an increase in the pile length ratio causes an increase in the load bearing capacity, but one in the diameter ratio causes a decrease in the bearing capacity.

Determination of friction angle of soil using double-punch test approach: An experimental study

Estimation of soil strength indices is prerequisite for the design of foundations, pavements, retaining walls and many other engineering interventions. Friction angle, φ is a shear strength paramet...

Performance Test of a Real-Time Measurement System for Horizontal Soil Strength in the Field

Purpose: Soil strength has been measured using a cone penetrometer, which is making it difficult to obtain the spatial data required for precision agriculture. Our objectives were to evaluate real-time horizontal soil strength (RHSS) to measure soil strength in real time while moving across the field. Using the RHSS data, the tillage depth was determined, and the power consumption of a tractor and rotavators were compared. Methods: The horizontal soil-strength index (HSSI) obtained by the RHSS was compared with the cone index (CI), which was measured using a cone penetrometer. Comparison analysis in accordance with the measurement depth that increased at 5-cm interval was conducted using kriged maps at six sensing depths. For tillage control and evaluation of the power consumption, the system was installed with a potentiometer for tillage depth, a torque sensor from the rear axle, and a power take-off (PTO) shaft. Results: The HSSI was lower than the CI, but they were the same at 54.81% of the total grids for the 5-cm depth and at 3.85% for the 10-cm depth. In accordance with the recommended tillage map, tillage operations between 0 and 15 cm left 2.3% and 7% residue cover on the soil, and that between 20 and 10 cm covered a wider utilization of 3% and 18.4%, respectively. When the tillage depth was 15 cm, the comparison result of the power requirements between the PTO and rear axle in terms of control performance revealed that the maximum power requirements of the axle and PTO were 44.63 and 23.24 kW, respectively. Conclusions: An HSSI measurement system was evaluated by comparison with the conventional soil strength measurement system (CI) and applied to a tractor to compare the tillage power consumption. Further study is needed on its application to various farm works using a tractor for precision agriculture.

English

English

Development of a Real-Time Measurement System for Horizontal Soil Strength

Purpose: Accurate monitoring of soil strength is a key technology applicable to various precision agricultural practices. Soil strength has been traditionally measured using a cone penetrometer, which is time-consuming and expensive, making it difficult to obtain the spatial data required for precision agriculture. To improve the current, inefficient method of measuring soil strength, our objective was to develop and evaluate an in-situ system that could measure horizontal soil strength in real-time, while moving across a soil bin. Methods: Multiple cone-shape penetrometers were horizontally assembled at the front of a vertical plow blade at intervals of 5 cm. Each penetrometer was directly connected to a load cell, which measured loads of 0-2.54 kN. In order to process the digital signals from every individual transducer concurrently, a microcontroller was embedded into the measurement system. Wireless data communication was used between a data storage device and this real-time horizontal soil strength (RHSS) measurement system travelling at 0.5 m/s through an indoor experimental soil bin. The horizontal soil strength index (HSSI) measured by the developed system was compared with the cone index (CI) measured by a traditional cone penetrometer. Results: The coefficient of determination between the CI and the HSSI at depths of 5 cm and 10 cm ($r^2

Soil moisture and strength index for earthwork construction quality control

This paper presents the implementation of soil moisture and strength index measurements for earthwork construction quality control as well as a link between the in situ testing and structural property of earthen materials. Use of the convenient Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) in conjunction with conventional moisture-density measurements enhances quality control by achieving acceptable level of compaction, more uniform structural properties, and aids developing a controlled design parameter during the earthwork construction. Soil strength in term of DCP index normalized by the deviation of compaction moisture content from the optimum moisture content is proposed as performance criteria for a variety of engineered earth fills and special engineering assessment, prevention, and mitigation of geohazards e.g. earthen flood defense embankments.