Field Tests on Deformation Property of Self-Weight Collapsible Loess with Large Thickness
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 14, Issue 3
Abstract
To study the deformation property of large-thickness self-weight collapsible loess and to understand the moisture migration law and matrix suction characteristics, a 40-m-diameter soaking test was conducted in the field with self-weight collapsible loess at a thickness of 36.5 m. The results showed that (1) the field collapse deformation law of the large-thickness self-weight collapsible loess varied in two periods, namely, the soaking period and the water cutoff period; (2) during the soaking test, the distribution of crack patterns appeared from local to overall, from near to far, and from dense to sparse, then gradually extended; (3) the volumetric moisture content changed in different soil locations; (4) suction developed steadily before soaking, whereas with a large amount of water, suction dropped steeply within a short time; and (5) the water content of soil above 20 to 25 m increased rapidly and soon reached saturation, whereas the water content of soil below that depth increased slowly and reached saturation with difficulty. The test results may be useful for similar projects in the area of self-weight collapsible loess with large thickness, and to help revise Chinese codes for building construction in collapsible loess regions.
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Acknowledgments
This work was financially supported by the science and technology plan projects of housing and rural construction of Gansu province (Grant No. JK2011-19) and the Natural Science Foundation of Gansu province (Grant No. 1208RJZA284).
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Published In
International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 14 • Issue 3 • June 2014
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Aug 29, 2012
Accepted: May 21, 2013
Published online: Mar 14, 2014
Published in print: Jun 1, 2014
Discussion open until: Aug 14, 2014
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