Correction functions for soil–water characteristics curves extending the principles of thermodynamics

The soil–water characteristics curve (SWCC) that is typically measured from laboratory tests is fit using mathematical models that are based on capillary law and used along with the saturated soil properties for predicting the hydro-mechanical behavior of unsaturated soils. Such SWCC models are vali...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian geotechnical journal 2024-08, Vol.61 (8), p.1653-1665
Main Authors: Li, Yao, Vanapalli, Sai K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Coarse-grained soils
Fine-grained soils
Laboratory tests
Mathematical models
Mechanical properties
Modelling
Moisture content
Salinity
Saturated soils
Soil analysis
Soil mechanics
Soil properties
Soil suction
Soil temperature
Soil water
Temperature effects
Thermodynamics
Unsaturated soils
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The soil–water characteristics curve (SWCC) that is typically measured from laboratory tests is fit using mathematical models that are based on capillary law and used along with the saturated soil properties for predicting the hydro-mechanical behavior of unsaturated soils. Such SWCC models are valid for coarse-grained soils. However, the same models are also extended for modeling the SWCC of fine-grained soils over suction range from 0 to 10 6  kPa with a correction function. Due to this reason, SWCC models with correction functions have limitations in rigorous analyses of complex thermo-hydro-mechanical-chemo (THMC) behaviors of unsaturated soils, especially in the high suction range. In the present study, a correction function is proposed for modeling the SWCC behavior using two widely models based on a theoretical framework extending the principles of thermodynamics. The relationships between the traditional and the proposed correction functions are discussed. Finally, comparisons are provided between the proposed and the traditional correction functions on the SWCC behavior to highlight their differences. In addition, the effects of temperature and salinity on the SWCC with correction functions are also summarized. The proposed correction function is a valuable tool for rigorous analyses and reliable prediction of the complex THMC behaviors of unsaturated soils.
ISSN:0008-3674
1208-6010
DOI:10.1139/cgj-2023-0266