Numerical Simulation of Desiccation Cracking in Clayey Soil Using a Multifield Coupling Discrete-Element Model
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 148, Issue 2
Abstract
Desiccation cracking in clayey soil, which may lead to soil erosion, geotechnical engineering accidents, or even environmental pollution, is a serious problem nowadays. This research proposed a multifield coupling discrete-element model of clayey soil, in which each element represented a certain volume of soil. Meanwhile, the uneven distribution and transfer of moisture were also achieved. By establishing the relationships between water content and element radius, Young’s modulus, and tensile strength, respectively, the model coupled the moisture field with the stress field. Through a discrete-element simulation of desiccation cracking in a thin clay layer, the gradual development of crack network was successfully reproduced, and the proposed model was validated. The uneven moisture distribution in the numerical specimen indicates that cracks can intensify evaporation by increasing the area of soil-air interface. Layer thickness, evaporation intensity, soil-base interaction, and compressive strength are proved to have significant impacts on crack pattern by influencing the equilibrium between desiccation shrinking and cracking. This research provides a new means to study the mechanism of desiccation cracking under multifield coupling effects.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. The DEM simulation software used in this research, i.e., MatDEM, is available online at http://matdem.com.
Acknowledgments
This research was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41761134089 and 41977218) and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities. We are grateful to the anonymous reviewers for many valuable comments that have notably improved the manuscript.
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Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 148 • Issue 2 • February 2022
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© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Nov 3, 2020
Accepted: Oct 29, 2021
Published online: Nov 30, 2021
Published in print: Feb 1, 2022
Discussion open until: Apr 30, 2022
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