Applicability of Fractal Models in Estimating Soil Water Retention Characteristics from Particle-Size Distribution Data

Soil water retention characteristics are the key information required in hydrological modeling. Frac-tal models provide a practical alternative for indirectly estimating soil water retention characteristics fromparticle-size distribution data. Predictive capabilities of three fractal models, i.e, Tyler-Wheatcraft model,Rieu-Sposito model, and Brooks-Corey model, were fully evaluated in this work using experimental datafrom an international database and literature. Particle-size distribution data were firstly interpolated into20 classes using a van Genuchten-type equation. Fractal dimensions of the tortuous pore wall and the poresurface were then calculated from the detailed particle-size distribution and incorporated as a parameter infractal water retention models. Comparisons between measured and model-estimated water retention cha-racteristics indicated that these three models were applicable to relatively different soil textures and pressurehead ranges. Tyler-Wheatcraft and Brooks-Corey models led to reasonable agreements for both coarse- andmedium-textured soils, while the latter showed applicability to a broader texture range. In contrast, Rieu-Sposito model was more suitable for fine-textured soils. Fractal models produced a better estimation of watercontents at low pressure heads than at high pressure heads.

Gradation equation of coarse-grained soil and its applicability

Gradation equation is one way to describe the gradation of coarse-grained soil conveniently,exactly and quantitatively.With the gradation equation,the influence of gradation on the mechanical behaviors of coarse-grained soil can be expressed quantitatively.A new gradation equation with a parameter is proposed.The basic properties and applicability of the new equation are studied.The results show that the proposed equation has the applicability to express coarse-grained soil gradation(CSG),and the range of the parameter β is found to be 0<β<1.The value ofbdetermines the gradation curve shape.If β>0.5,the gradation curve is sigmoidal,otherwise the gradation curve is hyperbolic.For well graded gradations,the parameter has the value of 0.13<β<1.Several CSGs used in domestic and foreign earth-rockfill dams are probed,and the value of the parameterbfalls in the range of 0.18 to 0.97.The investigation of the range of β is of value to guide the design for CSG of earth-rockfill dam.

Sorption of pyrene on two paddy soils and their particle-size fractions

In the present study, the sorption of pyrene on two kinds of bulk paddy soils, Gleyic Stagnic Anthrosols, and Ferric accumulic Stagnic Anthrosols as well as their particle-size fractions was investigated. The sorption isotherms fitted well with Freundlich equation. For both soils, the clay fraction（ 〈 2μm） and coarse sand fraction（2000-250μm） had higher sorption capacity than fine sand fraction（250-20 μm） and silt fraction（20-2 μm）. The IogKoc values obtained of each soil and its particle-size fractions were similar, proving that SOM content was a key factor affecting pyrene sorption. The Kd values showed a significant correlation with contents of dithionite-extractable Fe in both paddy soils and a good relationship with CEC in Gleyic Stagnic Anthrosols, indicating possible effects of surface properties of particle-size fractions on the sorption of pyrene.

Deformation characteristics of coarse-grained soil with various gradations

By using large scale triaxial shearing apparatus,consolidated-drained shear tests were conducted on coarse-grained soil with different gradations.In order to describe their deformation rules,three main characteristics of tangent Poisson ratio curves were summarized and the reason was revealed by dividing the movement of soil particles into two kinds: the movement of fine particles and the movement of coarse particles.Then,a volumetric strain expression and a tangent Poisson ratio expression were put forward,and two defects of widely used Duncan-Chang model were fixed.Results calculated from them agree well with test results.There are three parameters,namely L,G and F,in this new model.Parameter L reflects the dilatancy of a specimen and L=4 can be used as a criterion to estimate whether a certain kind of soil has dilatancy quality or not.Parameters G and F relate to the initial slope of tangent Poisson ratio curves,and G=F=0 indicates a special situation which happens in dense granular material of the same diameter.Influences of various gradations on volume deformation are mainly reflected in parameter L which is smaller when there are more gravels in specimens.

Determination of strain-dependent soil water retention characteristics from gradation curve

The importance of soil water retention characteristics in modelling the hydro-mechanical response of unsaturated soils has been well recognised by many investigators in recent years.Determination of strain-dependent soil water retention curve(SWRC)is likely to be extraordinarily difficult.The first two authors have recently shown that SWRC can be computed from the gradation curve and the calculation result is consistent with the experimental results obtained from pressure plate tests.In this paper,based on a hypothesis related to change in the pore size distribution(POSD)due to volumetric strain of soil skeleton,a method to compute strain-dependent SWRC is presented.It is found that at initial degrees of saturation higher than 0.8,the influence of volumetric strain may be marginal whilst at initial degrees of saturation lower than 0.8,its influence is likely to be substantial.In all cases,the gradation curve of the soil affects the SWRC.

基于离散元方法的混合砂土剪切特性细观分析

目的为研究不同成分的砂土剪切破坏时的抗剪强度和体积变形差异。方法采用室内试验与离散元模拟结合的方法,通过建立剪切带PFC2D模型,对剪切过程中单一质砂土和混合砂土细观参数的变化规律进行了研究。结果发现粗砂、细砂、标准砂与混合砂土的剪切带形态、体积应变率等细观参数存在明显差异。结论研究表明:砂土剪切应力大小受颗粒组成影响,表现为砂土剪切应力随粗颗粒含量的增加而增大,混合砂土剪切应力高于与其成分相同的单一质砂土;砂土中颗粒运动以上跨和下跨式为主,颗粒粒径越大运动位移越大,表现为体积应变率越大。砂土剪切时体积应变率受颗粒组成影响,表现为粗砂体积应变率高于标准砂和细砂;混合砂土体积应变率高于与其成分相同的单一质砂土。研究结果可为此类砂土地质结构破坏问题提供理论借鉴。

橡胶砾石级配对筋土界面循环剪切特性的影响

橡胶砾石作为基础填料,具有低剪切刚度、高阻尼比的特性。为了研究土工格栅-橡胶砾石的循环剪切特性,利用室内动态直剪仪进行了一系列直剪试验,分析了4种橡胶砾石颗粒级配(级配不良GR1、GR4,级配良好GR2、GR3)、3种橡胶配比(10%、30%、60%)、3种竖向应力(30、60、90 kPa)下土工格栅-橡胶砾石界面的剪应力-剪切位移关系和体变特性。试验结果表明:在循环剪切过程中,各橡胶砾石级配均表现出剪切硬化的特点,但其抗剪强度与纯砾石相比均出现不同程度的降低;橡胶砾石抗剪强度随着竖向应力的增加而增大,4种级配土中GR2表现出最高的抗剪强度,但相较于纯砾石其抗剪强度约下降9%;界面最大竖向位移与竖向应力和橡胶含量成正相关,2种连续级配土GR2和GR3的界面竖向位移较小;在同一颗粒级配下,剪切频率和剪切位移幅值越大,混合土界面峰值剪应力越大;筋土界面剪切刚度随着循环次数的增加而增大,随着橡胶含量的增大而减小,而阻尼比与剪切刚度呈相反的规律。

闽粤地区花岗岩风化土体粘粒迁移过程的土柱渗流试验

花岗岩风化土具有大孔隙结构、级配不良的特性。降雨入渗驱动粘粒迁移导致花岗岩风化土内部孔隙扩张和颗粒粗化,是闽粤地区花岗岩分布区水土流失和边坡变形破坏的主因。本文设计土柱渗流模型试验,研究不同级配条件下花岗岩风化土体的粘粒迁移过程与特征,考察土粒含量、渗流量及水力梯度等指标的变化规律。研究表明:(1)含有较多粘土矿物成分的细粒,尤其是粒径小于5μm的具有良好亲水性的粘粒,在渗流作用下容易发生迁移、集聚、淤堵或再迁移过程,导致渗流量与水力梯度持续变化,逐步出现土体颗粒粗化现象;(2)随着砾粒含量的增加,内部土粒单元发育成形的“混粒性”孔隙-骨架结构更为明显;当砾粒含量从40%增加至60%时,粘粒流失量增加14%,渗流量增加了51%,土体渗流通道增多、土体颗粒粗化,土体结构性逐步丧失;(3)花岗岩风化土中粘粒迁移过程由稳定渗流状态向优势渗流状态转变引起,一旦优势流通道成立,水力梯度增幅可达40%。研究结论可为闽粤地区花岗岩分布区水土流失治理和边坡灾害防治提供科学依据。

基于连续级配方程的粗粒料压实密度缩尺效应试验研究

根据双江口心墙堆石坝堆石料的原型平均设计级配曲线,采用剔除法、等量替代法、相似级配法和混合法等4种不同缩尺方法得到室内最大干密度试验成果。结合土的连续级配方程,采用级配面积与小于5 mm的颗粒质量分数P5构建的函数式作为级配量化指标,拟合出最大干密度与试验前级配曲线面积、P_(5)及最大粒径之间的关系,据此可推求出原型级配的最大干密度。通过分析得到试验前后级配量化指标之间的拟合公式,并利用试验前后级配量化指标的相对变化量B_(w)作为颗粒破碎的定量指标,探讨了缩尺方法对压实过程粗粒料颗粒破碎的影响。结果表明,采用等量替代法缩尺,B_(w)随粒径的增大呈减小趋势;而采用剔除法、相似级配法和混合法缩尺,B_(w)随粒径增大呈增大趋势。

考虑间断级配影响的土石混合体水力侵蚀分异机理

近年来,堆积体滑坡频发,已成为西南地区最典型的滑坡类型。研究表明,超过50%的库区堆积体滑坡诱因为水力侵蚀,因此降雨、岸坡侵蚀、波浪掏蚀成为库区滑坡灾害防治重点关注的问题。同时,土石混合体自身的间断级配会对其水力特性造成明显影响,进而导致水力侵蚀作用下堆积体内部的颗粒运移规律具有独特性。采用自主研发的土石混合体渗透侵蚀试验装置,模拟土石混合体内部细观侵蚀过程,阐明其侵蚀分异机理,揭示间断级配的影响。结果表明:土石混合体侵蚀过程主要分为快速侵蚀、侵蚀减缓、稳定渗流3个阶段,超过60%的侵蚀在快速侵蚀阶段完成;与良好级配试样相比,间断级配试样的侵蚀量更大,初始侵蚀更剧烈,快速侵蚀阶段更短暂;间断级配对土石混合体水力侵蚀分异的影响同样明显,细颗粒缺失结构的细颗粒尺寸单一,不易堵塞渗流通道,渗透系数高于良好级配试样,且最大渗透系数与最终渗透系数差异较小;中颗粒缺失结构因大量细颗粒下沉堵塞渗流通道导致渗透系数明显低于良好级配试样;粗颗粒缺失结构内部块石承载骨架结构差,孔隙大,易引发大块石局部破坏,渗透系数高于良好级配试样。

宽级配珊瑚土落雨制模分层现象与控制方法

珊瑚土场地液化是港口工程和滨海设施及岛礁典型的地震灾害现象之一,而珊瑚土具有级配宽、细粒含量高和易破碎等特点。落雨法作为研究饱和模型场地与单元试验液化的重要制模手段,针对落雨法在制备珊瑚土地基模型时出现的分层问题,利用自主研制的大型落雨装置及高速摄像和PFC3D离散元模拟,分析细粒含量、流量大小、落距和出砂口移动速度等因素对分层现象的影响,揭示分层现象的产生机理,并建立相应控制方法。研究结果表明:相对于落距和出砂口移动速度,细粒含量和流量是影响颗粒分层的主要因素。随着细粒含量的增加,分层现象逐渐减弱;随着流量的增大,分层现象逐渐明显;当落距和出砂口移动速度达到一定范围时,分层现象不会再随之增大而出现明显变化。高速摄像分析表明,粗细颗粒在出砂口移动时会出现粗细颗粒的分离,二者之间有着明显的分离界限,其结果表明,分层现象是在重力、空气拖曳力以及出砂口侧向移动的综合作用下产生的。利用PFC3D离散元模拟落雨法制模的过程,模拟结果与试验结构及高速摄像分析结果高度契合,证明PFC3D数值模拟方法的可行性。结合流量、落距和出砂口移动速度等影响因素,提出一种可有效控制落雨法分层现象的方法,为制备大型宽级配珊瑚土模型提供指导依据。

基于搜索分析深度学习网络(SaNet)的粗粒土级配识别

粗粒土广泛应用于路基、土石坝等填方工程中,然而传统筛分法耗时低效,无法满足级配快速的质量检测需求。为解决上述问题,构建了黄河粉土、石英砂粗粒土“图像-级配”关系数据库,共22380张图像;针对二维图像与三维级配的不匹配的矛盾,构建了任意图像输入数量的搜索-分析网络(searcher-analyzer network,SaNet),基于该网络训练所得模型精度随图像数的增加稳定提升,黄河粉土,石英砂的级配识别平均误差分别为1.63%,1.21%,拟合优度分别为0.995,0.992。结果表明:基于SaNet架构构建的机器学习模型具有较高的级配识别精度,能够满足填方工程中实时无损的级配检测需求。

级配对粗粒土-格栅界面循环剪切特性影响试验研究

【目的】为研究级配对粗粒土-土工格栅界面动力剪切特性的影响规律,【方法】基于连续级配方程,通过改变试样的最大粒径d_(max)和级配面积S,制备了18组不同级配试样,对各组试样分别进行设置土工格栅和不设置土工格栅的循环直剪试验,分析d_(max)和S对界面循环剪切特性的影响,并引入了加筋剪切刚度系数α_(K)和加筋阻尼比系数α_(D),来评价土工格栅对动剪切强度参数的影响效果。【结果】结果显示:当小于格栅网孔尺寸的粗粒含量较高时,剪切刚度K随着d_(max)的增大而增大,阻尼比D随着d_(max)的增大而减小;反之,则表现出相反的趋势。K和D均与d_(max)呈对数函数关系;K和D与S的关系均可用二次多项式表示。此外,给出了α_(K)和α_(D)与粒孔比的关系,即随着粒孔比的增大,α_(K)先增大后减小,α_(D)呈先减小后增大的规律。当粒孔比取0.073左右时,土工格栅对粗粒土循环剪切特性的加筋效果最好。【结论】结果表明:颗粒与土工格栅间的互锁机制对粗粒土-格栅界面的循环剪切特性有重要影响,当大部分颗粒粒径小于格栅网格尺寸时,颗粒与格栅间的互锁机制充分发挥;当颗粒最大粒径及格栅网格尺寸相同时,存在一个最优级配面积,使得粗粒土-格栅界面的抗震性能最好。

水泥稳定盾构渣土的收缩性能研究

针对土压平衡(earth pressure balance,EPB)盾构渣土的资源化再利用问题,开展水泥稳定EPB盾构渣土作为路用材料的收缩性能研究,主要通过干缩试验及温缩试验进行评价。结果表明,EPB盾构渣土的干缩系数在前31天变化明显,温缩系数则随着温度的升高呈现波动性上升趋势;水泥掺量的增加不仅会影响EPB盾构渣土体积对温度、水分变化的敏感程度,还会进一步增强温度对体积的影响;与常用的水泥稳定碎石相比,EPB盾构渣土受掘进工艺影响缺少大粒径骨料的嵌挤作用,因而收缩性能较差。因此,在EPB盾构渣土施工过程中不仅需要严格控制水泥用量,还应掺入些许骨料调整其级配。

粗粒土缩尺级配的渗透系数规律试验

粗粒土广泛应用于土石坝和软弱地基处理工程,渗透特性对工程设计的安全性具有重要影响。受室内仪器尺寸限制,只能对原级配粗粒土进行缩尺处理才能试验。然而,原级配粗粒土缩尺会改变土颗粒之间的孔隙大小及孔隙通道之间的连通性,导致缩尺后粗粒土室内渗透试验结果与原级配土的渗透系数存在一定差异,这种差异对准确了解原级配土的渗透特性十分重要。因此,如何通过缩尺试样试验结果准确预测原级配土的渗透系数,成为评价工程现场粗粒土渗透特性的关键。本文基于连续级配方程,将颗粒最大粒径d_(max)和级配面积S作为变量,设计16组不同级配试样,利用自制大型常水头渗透仪对各组试样进行室内渗透试验,定量研究缩尺级配的渗透系数变化规律,并找出不同级配土之间渗透系数换算的方法。结果表明:当级配面积S一定时,渗透系数k随d_(max)增大而增大,级配面积越小该规律越明显;当最大粒径d_(max)一定时,渗透系数k随级配面积S增大而减小;d_(max)和S对k的影响规律可分别用特定函数形式定量描述。根据d_(max)和S与k的关系式建立粗粒土不同级配之间的渗透系数换算模型,通过文献计算出该模型对各类粗粒土不同级配下渗透系数预测值与实测值的误差均在6%内,并利用缩尺级配试验结果反推出原级配渗透系数值且误差仅为2.5%,验证了该渗透系数计算模型对粗粒土的适用性。

Preservation of organic matter in soils of a climobiosequence in the Main Range of Peninsular Malaysia

Limited information is available about factors of soil organic carbon(SOC) preservation in soils along a climo-biosequence. The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of soil texture and mineralogy on preservation of SOC in the topsoil and subsoil along a climo-biosequence in the Main Range of Peninsular Malaysia. Soil samples from the A and B-horizons of four representative soil profiles were subjected to particle-size fractionation and mineralogical analyses including X-ray diffraction and selective dissolution. The proportion of SOC in the 250-2000 μm fraction(SOC associated with coarse sand) decreased while the proportion of SOC in the <53 μm fraction(SOC associated with clay and silt)increased with depth. This reflected the importance of the fine mineral fractions of the soil matrix for SOC storage in the subsoil. Close relationships between the content of SOC in the <53 μm fraction and the content of poorly crystalline Fe oxides [oxalate-extractable Fe(Fe_o) – pyrophosphate-extractable Fe(Fe_p)] and poorly crystalline inorganic forms of Al [oxalateextractable Al(Al_o) – pyrophosphate-extractable Al(Al_p)] in the B-horizon indicated the importance of poorly crystalline Fe oxides and poorly crystalline aluminosilicates for the preservation of SOC in the Bhorizon. The increasing trend of Fe_o-Fe_p and Al_o-Al_p over elevation suggest that the importance of poorly crystalline Fe oxides and poorly crystalline aluminosilicates for the preservation of SOC in the Bhorizon increased with increasing elevation. This study demonstrates that regardless of differences in climate and vegetation along the studied climobiosequence, preservation of SOC in the subsoil depends on clay mineralogy.

Comparative analysis on soil engineering classifications of China and America

Based on China National Standard of Soil Engineering Classification (GB/T 50145-2007) and the Unified Soil Classification System of American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM D-2478), two kinds of soil laboratory engineering classification methods were discussed and analyzed from the aspects of the definition in particle fraction, classification of soil type and evaluation standard for soil gradation. There is a same limit of fine grains fraction in the two standards, and there are three main types of soil in GB/T 50145-2007 and two in ASTM D-2487. Different evaluation standards of gradation are put forward for gravels and sands in ASTM D-2487. Same criteria of A line, B line and controlling value of plastic index are in the plasticity chart of both standards.

渗流作用下多级配土石混合填料的结构演化规律

渗流是引起土石混合填料中细颗粒流失,致使土体结构变化引起路基变形及失稳的关键因素。采用自行研发的颗粒流失试验装置,对不同级配的土石混合填料进行渗流试验,监测渗流作用下填料的透水质量、细颗粒流失量和沉降量的变化过程,分析土体结构演变过程;采用PFC^(3D)(Particle Flow Code in 3D)对细颗粒流失过程进行数值模拟,分析填料孔隙和粒径动态变化特性。研究结果表明:透水质量和细颗粒流失率可以反映土石混合填料结构对水分的敏感程度。填料骨架结构对水分的敏感程度越低,可及时有效地排出水分,渗流对结构的破坏越小。渗流条件下土石混合填料的结构演化过程可分为细颗粒快速流失、骨架重塑和相对稳定3个阶段,其中骨架重塑阶段是引起其结构演化的关键阶段。细颗粒快速流失阶段,每小时透水量增长速率较快,细颗粒大量流失,沉降量很小;骨架重塑阶段,每小时透水量变化速率减缓,细颗粒流失量减少,但骨架结构重组导致颗粒产生明显的相对位移,沉降量增长较快;相对稳定阶段,每小时透水量变化缓慢,沉降量基本保持不变。颗粒流失数值模拟的过程表明细颗粒组分的迁移引起填料孔隙率产生变化,致使土体结构发生改变。上述结果表明,在所研究的几种填料中,n=0.55级配下土石混合填料的骨架结构最稳定,对水分的敏感性最弱。

颗粒级配对花岗岩残积土入渗及干缩开裂的影响

通过室内土箱试验,研究不同颗粒级配下花岗岩残积土的水平入渗和干缩开裂特征。结果表明:初始入渗速率和稳定入渗速率均随粗颗粒的增加而减小,且初始入渗速率变化更大,粗细颗粒比从1:9增加到5:5时,初始入渗速率和稳定入渗速率分别降低了41.0%和33.3%。随着土壤内部粗颗粒含量的增加,土壤的裂隙长度和土块个数都呈现增加的趋势,土壤裂隙的平均宽度呈现减小的趋势,土壤被裂隙分割得更加破碎。裂隙土壤入渗过程主要受入渗端裂隙闭合的时间、裂隙的宽度、裂隙贯通率、裂隙方向和土壤自身性质影响。

粗粒土抗剪强度的缩尺效应规律试验研究

抗剪强度是评价土体稳定性的重要指标,研究缩尺效应对粗粒土抗剪强度的影响,对高土石坝工程土体强度估算有重要的理论意义和应用价值。根据前人的研究,颗粒最大粒径d_(max)和级配结构两部分变化是导致缩尺后试样存在缩尺效应的主要原因,其中级配结构可由级配面积S作为特征参数表示。通过改变试样的d_(max)和S,设计了24组不同级配试样,利用大型直剪仪对各组试样进行直剪试验,从而定量研究颗粒最大粒径和级配结构对粗粒土抗剪强度的影响规律。研究结果表明:粗粒土的抗剪强度指标黏聚力c和内摩擦角φ均表现出随着d_(max)增大而增大的规律,且c和φ均与d_(max)呈对数函数关系;黏聚力c和内摩擦角φ随着S的减小而增大,到达某一特定值后呈略微减小的趋势,并根据相应试验数据分别建立c和φ与S的关系式。最后,基于试验结果建立了考虑缩尺效应的粗粒土抗剪强度的预测模型,并用相关文献试验数据验证了该模型对不同类型粗粒土的适用性。