Quantitatively characterizing sandy soil structure altered by MICP using multi-level thresholding segmentation algorithm

The influences of biological,chemical,and flow processes on soil structure through microbially induced carbonate precipitation(MICP)are not yet fully understood.In this study,we use a multi-level thresholding segmentation algorithm,genetic algorithm(GA)enhanced Kapur entropy(KE)(GAE-KE),to accomplish quantitative characterization of sandy soil structure altered by MICP cementation.A sandy soil sample was treated using MICP method and scanned by the synchrotron radiation(SR)micro-CT with a resolution of 6.5 mm.After validation,tri-level thresholding segmentation using GAE-KE successfully separated the precipitated calcium carbonate crystals from sand particles and pores.The spatial distributions of porosity,pore structure parameters,and flow characteristics were calculated for quantitative characterization.The results offer pore-scale insights into the MICP treatment effect,and the quantitative understanding confirms the feasibility of the GAE-KE multi-level thresholding segmentation algorithm.

Micromorphological Analysis of Soil Structure under No Tillage Management in the Black Soil Zone of Northeast China

The structure of the ＂black soil＂ in Northeast China has been greatly deteriorated by long-term intensive conventional mouldboard plow tillage （CT） practices. In this study, micro- morphological observation and image analysis of soil thin sections were conducted to evaluate the impacts of 21 years （1986-2007） of no tillage （NT） on soil structure as compared to CT in an experiment near Gongzhuling City, Jilin Province. Soil organic matter （SOM）, wet aggregate stability and saturated hydraulic conductivity （Ks） were also analyzed. Total SOM was not significantly affected by tillage systems, but fresher SOM was observed in the surface layer under NT. The aggregates under NT showed different hierarchies in the form of crumbs, and the mean weight diameter （MWD） of NT was significant higher than that of CT in the surface layer. Platy and blocky aggregates were frequently observed in the lower layers under CT practice. The compound pore structure with intertwined intra- and inter- aggregates pores under NT was well developed in a layer from 0-5 cm to 20-25 era. While under CT system, more inter-aggregate pores and fewer intra- aggregate pores were observed, and planes and channels were frequently found in the 20-25 cm layer, where maeroporosity decreased significantly and a plow pan was evident. The Ks values of NT weresignificantly lower at o-5 cm but significantly higher at 20-95 cm compared with CT, which showed the same trend with macroporosity. These results confirmed that long-term CT practice fragmented the tillage layer soil and compacted the lower layer soil and formed a plow pan. While long-term NT practice in the black soil region favored soil aggregation and a stable porous soil structure was formed, which are important to the water infiltration and prevent soil erosion.

A Note on Soil Structure Resistance of Natural Marine Deposits

It has been well documented that natural normally-consolidated marine soils are generally subjected to the effects of soil structure. The interpretation of the resistance of soil structure is an important issue in the theory study and engineering practice of ocean engineering and geotechnical engineering. It is traditionally considered that the resistance of soil structure gradually disappears with increasing stress level when the applied stress is beyond the consolidation yield stress. In this study, however, it is found that this traditional interpretation of the resistance of soil structure can not explain the strength behavior of natural marine deposits with a normally-consolidated stress history. A new interpretation of the resistance of soil structure is proposed based on the strength behavior. In the preyield state, the undrained strength of natural marine deposits is composed of two components: one developed by the applied stress and the other developed by the resistance of soil structure. When the applied stress is beyond the consolidation yield stress, the strength behavior is independent of the resistance of soil structure.

Synergistic combination of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria modulates morpho-physiological characteristics and soil structure in Nitraria tangutorum bobr.Under saline soil conditions

Nitraria tangutorum Bobr.,a typical xero-halophyte,can be used for vegetation restoration and reconstruction in arid and semiarid regions affected by salinity.However,global climate change and unreasonable human activity have exacerbated salinization in arid and semi-arid regions,which in turn has led to the growth inhibition of halophytes,including N.tangutorum.Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi(AMF)and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria(PGPR)have the potential to improve the salt tolerance of plants and their adaptation to saline soil environments.In this study,the effects of single and combined inoculations of AMF(Glomus mosseae)and PGPR(Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB42)on N.tangutorum were evaluated in severe saline soil conditions.The results indicate that AMF and PGPR alone may not adapt well to the real soil environment,and cannot ensure the effect of either growth promotion or salt-tolerance induction on N.tangutorum seedlings.However,the combination of AMF and PGPR significantly promoted mycorrhizal colonization,increased biomass accumulation,improved morphological development,enhanced photosynthetic performance,stomatal adjustment ability,and the exchange of water and gas.Co-inoculation also significantly counteracted the adverse effect of salinity on the soil structure of N.tangutorum seedlings.It is concluded that the effectiveness of microbial inoculation on the salt tolerance of N.tangutorum seedlings depends on the functional compatibility between plants and microorganisms as well as the specific combinations of AMF and PGPR.

Dynamic Study on Water Stability of Soil Structure and Soil Characteristics of Several Types of Soils in Southwest China

Three suborder soils in southwest China were adopted, namely Ustic Vertisol, Stagnic Anthrosol and Ustic Ferrosol, so as to carry out the basic physical and chemical analysis respectively, to design a dynamic measuring method for water stability of soil structure and conduct the comparative study on the quality of the soil structure. The results indicated that （1） The water stability dynamic characteristic of the soil structure could well reflect the maintaining capability of the soil structure as time goes on. （2） The quality of several soil structures in southwest China was sequenced as follows： Stagnic Anthrosols 〉 Ustic Vertisols 〉 Ustic Ferrosols. （3） The water stability of soil structure is very positively correlated with the capillary porosity and the clay particle （D 〈 0.002 mm） content （Co）, but is very negatively correlated with the silt （D is 0.05-0.002 ram） content （Csc）, and （4） The dynamic functional equation of the water stability of soil structure in southwest China was established, so that the water stability characteristics of various soil structures could be quantitatively expressed and the quality of different soil structures can be quantitatively compared from each other.

Identifying soil structure along headwater hillslopes using ground penetrating radar based technique

Soil structure plays an important role in understanding soil attributes as well as hydrological processes. Effective method to obtain high quality soil map is therefore important for both soil science research and soil work ability improvement. However,traditional method such as digging soil pits is destructive and time-consuming. In this study, the structure of headwater hillslopes from Hemuqiao catchment(Taihu Basin, China) have been analyzed both by indirect(ground penetrating radar, GPR) and direct(excavation or soil auger) methods. Four transects at different locations of hillslopes in the catchment were selected for GPR survey. Three of them(#1, #2, and #3) were excavated to obtain fullscale soil information for interpreting radar images.We found that the most distinct boundary that can be detected by GPR is the boundary between soil and underlain bedrock. In some cases(e.g., 8-17 m in transect #2), in which the in situ soil was scarcely affected by colluvial process, different soil layers can be identified. This identification process utilized the sensitive of GPR to capture abrupt changes of soil characteristics in layer boundaries, e.g., surface organic layer(layer #1) and bamboo roots layer(layer#2, contain stone fragments), illuvial deposits layer(layer #3) and regolith layer(layer #4). However, in areas where stone fragments were irregularly distributed in the soil profile(highly affected bycolluvial and/or fluvial process), it was possible to distinguish which part contains more stone fragments in soil profile on the basis of reflection density(transect #3). Transect #4(unexcavated) was used to justify the GPR method for soil survey based on experiences from former transects. After that, O horizon thickness was compared by a hand auger.This work has demonstrated that GPR images can be of a potential data source for hydrological predictions.

Effects of different concentrations of super-absorbent polymers on soil structure and hydro-physical properties following continuous wetting and drying cycles

Super-absorbent polymers(SAPs)are widely used chemical water-saving materials,which play an active role in the accumulation of soil water and the improvement of soil structure.Little is known about their performance with repeated usage or about factors influencing their efficiency under alternate wetting and drying cycles.In this study,various concentrations of SAP(0,0.1,0.2 and 0.3%)in soil following three continuous wetting and drying cycles(T1,T2 and T3),were studied to determine effects on soil structure stability and hydro-physical properties.The results indicated that the SAP improved soil water supply capacity under conditions of mild drought(T2)and sufficient irrigation(T3)at concentrations of 0.2 and 0.3%,but a reduction was observed under severe drought conditions(T1),which was negatively correlated with the SAP concentration.The physical adsorption of the SAP by soil and the chemical connection between the SAP and soil mineral colloids as Si-O-Si bonds,-OH bonds and different crystalline silica were the important factors that directly lead to the reduction of water retention capacities of the SAP with alternating wet and dry conditions.Compared with the control,the soil liquid phase ratios of the SAP treatments were increased by8.8-202.7%in the T1 and T2 cycles,which would have led to a decrease in the soil air phase ratios.After repeated wetting and drying cycles,the SAP treatments increased the amount of>0.25 mm soil aggregates and the contents of water-stable macro-aggregate(R_(0.25)),and decreased the amount of<0.053 mm soil aggregates,especially with higher concentrations of the SAP.Increases in mean weight diameter(MWD)and geometric mean diameter(GMD),and declines in fractal dimension(D)and unstable aggregates index(E_(LT))were all observed with the SAP treatments,which indicated an improvement in soil stability and structure.It was concluded that the distribution and stability of soil aggregates and soil water supply capacity was closely related to SAP concentration,soil moisture condition and the interaction between the SAP and soil particles.

Material Properties and Tensile Behaviors of Polypropylene Geogrid and Geonet for Reinforcement of Soil Structures

The properties and tensile behaviors of polypropylene (PP) geogrids and geonets for reinforcement of soil structures are investigated.Mass per unit area of the geogrids and geonets was weighed using an electronic balance and aperture sizes of the geonets were exactly measured using a computer.Laboratory tests were performed using a small tensile machine capable of monitoring tensile force and displacement.Tensile failure behaviors were described,and tensile index properties such as tensile strength,maximum tensile strain,tensile forces corresponding to different strains in the geogrids and gronets were obtained.The characterization of these indexes is discussed.

A novel simple procedure to consider seismic soil structure interaction effects in 2D models

A method is proposed to estimate the seismic soil-structure-interaction （SSI） effects for use in engineering practice. It is applicable to 2D structures subjected to vertically incident shear waves supported by homogenous half-spaces. The method is attractive since it keeps the simplicity of the spectral approach, overcomes some of the difficulties and inaccuracies of existing classical techniques and yet it considers a physically consistent excitation. This level of simplicity is achieved through a response spectra modification factor that can be applied to the free-field 5%-damped response spectra to yield design spectral ordinates that take into account the scattered motions introduced by the interaction effects. The modification factor is representative of the Transfer Function （TF） between the structural relative displacements and the free- field motion, which is described in terms of its maximum amplitude and associated frequency. Expressions to compute the modification factor by practicing engineers are proposed based upon a parametric study using 576 cases representative of actual structures. The method is tested in 10 cases spanning a wide range of common fundamental vibration periods.

Influence of spiral anchor composite foundation on seismic vulnerability of raw soil structure

A typical single-layer raw soil structure in villages and towns in China is taken as the research object.In the probabilistic seismic demand analysis,the seismic demand model is obtained by the incremental dynamic time history analysis method.The seismic vulnerability analysis is carried out for the raw soil structure of nonfoundation,strip foundation,and spiral anchor composite foundation,respectively.The spiral anchor composite foundation can reduce the seismic response and failure state of raw soil structure,and the performance level of the structure is significantly improved.Structural requirements sample data with the same ground motion intensity are analyzed by linear regression statistics.Compared with the probabilistic seismic demand model under various working conditions,the seismic demand increases gradually with the increase of intensity.The seismic vulnerability curve is summarized for comparative analysis.With the gradual deepening of the limit state,the reduction effect of spiral anchor composite foundation on the exceedance probability becomes more and more obvious,which can reduce the probability of structural failure to a certain extent.

Estimation of generalized soil structure index based on differential spectra of different orders by multivariate assessment

Better soil structure promotes extension of plant roots thereby improving plant growth and yield.Differences in soil structure can be determined by changes in the three phases of soil,which in turn affect soil function and fertility levels.To compare the quality of soil structure under different conditions,we used Generalized Soil Structure Index(GSSI)as an indicator to determine the relationship between the“input”of soil three phases and the“output”of soil structure.To achieve optimum monitoring of comprehensive indicators,we used Successive Projections Algorithm(SPA)for differential processing based on 0.0–2.0 fractional orders and 3.0–10.0 integer orders and select important wavelengths to process soil spectral data.In addition,we also applied multivariate regression learning models including Gaussian Process Regression(GPR)and Artificial Neural Network(ANN),exploring potential capabilities of hyperspectral in predicting GSSI.The results showed that spectral reflection,mainly contributed by long-wave near-infrared radiation had an inverse relationship with GSSI values.The wavelengths between 404-418 nm and 2193–2400 nm were important GSSI wavelengths in fractional differential spectroscopy data,while those ranging from 543 to 999 nm were important GSSI wavelengths in integer differential spectroscopy data.Also,non-linear models were more accurate than linear models.In addition,wide neural networks were best suited for establishing fractional-order differentiation and second-order differentiation models,while fine Gaussian support vector machines were best suited for establishing first-order differentiation models.In terms of preprocessing,a differential order of 0.9 was found as the best choice.From the results,we propose that when constructing optimal prediction models,it is necessary to consider indicators,differential orders,and model adaptability.Above all,this study provided a new method for an in-depth analyses of generalized soil structure.This also fills the gap limiting the detection of soil three phases structural characteristics and their dynamic changes and provides a technical references for quantitative and rapid evaluation of soil structure,function,and quality.

Grassland management intensity determines root development,soil structure,and their interrelationship:Results of a regional study of Leptosols in the Swabian Alps

Background:Soil structure is a key indicator of the functioning of soil processes in grasslands,which is influenced by site conditions and management.Methods:In this study,we investigated soil structure and its relationship with root growth in 31 Leptosols under different grassland management intensities using X-ray microcomputed tomography.A close relationship between land use intensity,soil structure,and root growth was observed.Results:Our results show that land use type affects root development and soil structure.Pastures had more developed roots and more structured soils than meadows and mown pastures.However,all pastures were unfertilized,while meadows and mown pastures had both fertilized and unfertilized plots.Although no significant differences were found in the unfertilized plots,sample size was limited.In particular,fertilization negatively affected root growth and soil structure,resulting in significant differences between fertilized and unfertilized grasslands.Mowing frequency also had an effect on soil physics,but to a much lesser extent than fertilization.Conclusions:Increased land use intensity,characterized by increased fertilization and more frequent mowing,reduces root growth and adversely affects soil structure.Therefore,X-ray microcomputed tomography is a suitable method to investigate the relationship between soil structure and roots in the soil.

Influence of Soil-Structure Interaction Models on the Dynamic Responses of An Offshore Wind Turbine Under Environmental Loads

Offshore wind turbines(OWTs) suffer wind, wave and earthquake loads. The investigation of OWTs' dynamic response under environmental loads is essential for structural safety assessment. The soil-structure interaction(SSI)significantly affects the responses of OWT under environmental loads. However, there is few systematic research about the difference in the dynamic response of different SSI models under environmental loads. In order to solve the problem, the OWT is modeled by shell element, and several SSI models are built. The wind, wave and earthquake loads are taken into account. Moreover, the dynamic response, fatigue and buckling analysis are performed by ANSYS. The results indicate that SSI cannot be ignored in the dynamic response of the OWT under wind and wave loads. The SSI can decrease the displacement response of the OWT by 19% under wind and wave loads and reduce the fatigue damage of the pile. Multi-layer SSI can strongly influence the OWT's dynamic response under wind and wave loads or earthquake-only load. The vertical earthquake load increases the dynamic response in three directions.Besides, in order to simulate real environment, multi-layer SSI, soil damping and vertical SSI must be considered to evaluate the displacement response of the OWT under wind, wave and earthquake loads. The earthquake and gravity loads can cause more obvious response of the OWT than that of only wind and wave loads. The top and bottom of the tower are prone to occur buckling.

Prediction of constrained modulus for granular soil using 3D discrete element method and convolutional neural networks

To efficiently predict the mechanical parameters of granular soil based on its random micro-structure,this study proposed a novel approach combining numerical simulation and machine learning algorithms.Initially,3500 simulations of one-dimensional compression tests on coarse-grained sand using the three-dimensional(3D)discrete element method(DEM)were conducted to construct a database.In this process,the positions of the particles were randomly altered,and the particle assemblages changed.Interestingly,besides confirming the influence of particle size distribution parameters,the stress-strain curves differed despite an identical gradation size statistic when the particle position varied.Subsequently,the obtained data were partitioned into training,validation,and testing datasets at a 7:2:1 ratio.To convert the DEM model into a multi-dimensional matrix that computers can recognize,the 3D DEM models were first sliced to extract multi-layer two-dimensional(2D)cross-sectional data.Redundant information was then eliminated via gray processing,and the data were stacked to form a new 3D matrix representing the granular soil’s fabric.Subsequently,utilizing the Python language and Pytorch framework,a 3D convolutional neural networks(CNNs)model was developed to establish the relationship between the constrained modulus obtained from DEM simulations and the soil’s fabric.The mean squared error(MSE)function was utilized to assess the loss value during the training process.When the learning rate(LR)fell within the range of 10-5e10-1,and the batch sizes(BSs)were 4,8,16,32,and 64,the loss value stabilized after 100 training epochs in the training and validation dataset.For BS?32 and LR?10-3,the loss reached a minimum.In the testing set,a comparative evaluation of the predicted constrained modulus from the 3D CNNs versus the simulated modulus obtained via DEM reveals a minimum mean absolute percentage error(MAPE)of 4.43%under the optimized condition,demonstrating the accuracy of this approach.Thus,by combining DEM and CNNs,the variation of soil’s mechanical characteristics related to its random fabric would be efficiently evaluated by directly tracking the particle assemblages.

A Modified Model for Soil–Structure Interface Considering Random Damage of Mesoscopic Contact Elements

The interaction between soil and marine structures like submarine pipeline/pipe pile/suction caisson is a complicated geotechnical mechanism process.In this study,the interface is discretized into multiple mesoscopic contact elements that are damaged randomly throughout the shearing process due to the natural heterogeneity.The evolution equation of damage variable is developed based on the Weibull function,which is able to cover a rather wide range of distribution shapes by only two parameters,making it applicable for varying scenarios.Accordingly,a statistical damage model is established by incorporating Mohr–Coulomb strength criterion,in which the interfacial residual strength is considered whereby the strain softening behavior can be described.A concept of“semi-softening”characteristic point on shear stress–displacement curve is proposed for effectively modeling the evolution of strain softening.Finally,a series of ring shear tests of the interfaces between fine sea sand and smooth/rough steel surfaces are conducted.The predicted results using the proposed model are compared with experimental data of this study as well as some results from existing literature,indicating that the model has a good performance in modeling the progressive failure and strain softening behavior for various types of soil–structure interfaces.

Dynamic Response of A Group of Cylindrical Storage Tanks with Baffles Considering the Effect of Soil Foundation

The sloshing in a group of rigid cylindrical tanks with baffles and on soil foundation under horizontal excitation is studied analytically.The solutions for the velocity potential are derived out by the liquid subdomain method.Equivalent models with mass-spring oscillators are established to replace continuous fluid.Combined with the least square technique,Chebyshev polynomials are employed to fit horizontal,rocking and horizontal-rocking coupling impedances of soil,respectively.A lumped parameter model for impedance is presented to describe the effects of soil on tank structures.A mechanical model for the soil-foundation-tank-liquid-baffle system with small amount of calculation and high accuracy is proposed using the substructure technique.The analytical solutions are in comparison with data from reported literature and numerical codes to validate the effectiveness and correctness of the model.Detailed dynamic properties and seismic responses of the soil-tank system are given for the baffle number,size and location as well as soil parameter.

Impact of short-term organic amendments incorporation on soil structure and hydrology in semiarid agricultural lands

Soil structure plays an important role in edaphic conditions and the environment. In this study, we investigated the effects of organic amendment on soil structure and hydraulic properties. A corn field in a semiarid land was separately amended with sheep manure compost at five different rates (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 t/ha) and corn stover (6 t/ha) in combination with two decomposing agents. The soil structure of different amended soils was analyzed from the aggregate and pore domain perspectives. The internal pore structure of the soil was visualized through X-ray computed tomography and quantified using a pore-network model. Soil aggregate-size distribution and stability, saturated hydraulic conductivity, and water-retention curves were measured by sampling or in situ. The gas permeability and diffusivity of different amended soils were simulated based on the extracted pore networks. The aggregate stability of the amended soils was improved compared with the control, that is, the mean weight diameter increased and the percentage of aggregate destruction decreased. The stability of soil aggregates varied non-monotonically with the application rate of compost and decreased after treatment with corn stover and decomposing agents. The pore-network parameters including air-filled porosity, pore radius, throat length, and coordinate number increased for the amended soils compared with the control. The mean pore size increased with increasing compost incorporation rate. The saturated hydraulic conductivity of the compost-amended soils was higher than that of the control but varied quadratically with the application rate. The saturated hydraulic conductivity of soil treated with corn stover and decomposing agents was clearly higher than that without the agent and the control. The greater gas diffusivity and air permeability indicate that soil aeration improved following the incorporation of organic amendments. The air permeability versus air-filled porosity relationship followed a power law, and the gas diffusivity versus air-filled porosity relationship was characterized by a generalized density-corrected model regardless of amendment. The findings of this study can help improve the understanding of soil structure and hydrological function to organic fertilizer incorporation and further monitor the quality of soil structure through the pore space perspective.

Analysis of the Microstructure and Macroscopic Fluid-Dynamics Behavior of Soft Soil after Seepage Consolidation

The purpose is to study the microstructure and macroscopic fluid-dynamic behavior of soft soil after it has been subjected to a seepage consolidation procedure.First,the microscopic pore structure of soft clay is quantitatively studied by a scanning electron microscope technique.Second,the average contact area rate of soil particles is obtained employing statistical analysis applied to microscopic images of soft soil,and the macroscopic porosity of soft clay is determined through an indoor geotechnical test.Finally,mathematical relationships are introduced by fitting the results of the test.The results show that the unmodified empirical equation for the permeability coefficient of coarse-grained soil produces large errors in calculations related to cohesive soils.By contrast,the permeability coefficient calculated by the empirical equation modified by the average contact area ratio theory is in good agreement with the measured average value of the indoor test.

Vibration Analysis of Frame Structure with Soil-Structure Interaction

A common design practice for dynamic loading assumes the frame fixed at their bases. In reality, the supporting soil medium allows movement to some extent due to its property to deform. This may decrease the overall stiffness of the structural system and may increase the natural period of the system. The effect of soil flexibility is suggested to be accounted through consideration of springs which have specified stiffness and soil half space. Results show that the dynamic response of frame structure to vibrations is due to applied dynamic load and is highly dependent on the soil type and the method of modeling soil structure interaction. The response of frame structure under dynamic load is higher in case of linear discrete independent spring as comparing with perfect bond cases. Except the response of frame in case of piles embedded in soft clay, half space are higher than frame with piles and linear elastic spring due to the interaction between the frequencies of applied load and frequencies of frame structure. Also, result showed that it is important to include the soil-structure interaction in the analysis of the system in order to correctly simulate the dynamic problem for controlling on the resonance phenomena.

Strength Model of Soda Residue Soil Considering Consolidation Stress and Structural Influence

Soda residue(SR)is a type of industrial waste produced in the soda process with the ammonia-soda method.Applying SR to backfilling solves the land occupation and environmental pollution problems in coastal areas and saves material costs for foundation engineering.The strength characteristics of soda residue soil(SRS)under different consolidation conditions are the key points to be solved in the engineering application of SRS.Triaxial compression tests were performed on the undisturbed SRS of Tianjin Port.The shear properties of SRS under different consolidation conditions were then discussed.Meanwhile,a structural strength model(SSM)based on Mohr-Coulomb theory was proposed.SSM reflects the influence of soil structure on undrained strength(Cu)and divides the Cu into the following two parts:friction strength(C_(uf))and original structural strength(C_(u0)).C_(uf)characterizes the magnitude of friction between soil particles,which is related to the consolidation stress.Meanwhile,C_(u0)represents the structural effect on soil strength,which is related to the soil deposition and consolidation processes.SSM was validated by the test data of undisturbed soils.Results reveal that the undisturbed soil generally had a certain C_(u0).Therefore,the SRS strength model was established by combining the experimental law of SRS with SSM.Error analysis shows that the SRS strength model can effectively predict the Cu of undisturbed SRS in Tianjin Port under different consolidation conditions.