Prediction of the Soil-water Characteristics and Hydraulic Conductivity of Compacted Loess Considering Compression Deformation

ZHANG Zi-ran, HU Sheng-ming, ZHANG Jia-ning, FU Yu-kai

Journal of Changjiang River Scientific Research Institute ›› 2026, Vol. 43 ›› Issue (7) : 182-189.

PDF(1343 KB)
PDF(1343 KB)
Journal of Changjiang River Scientific Research Institute ›› 2026, Vol. 43 ›› Issue (7) : 182-189. DOI: 10.11988/ckyyb.20250603
Rock-Soil Engineering

Prediction of the Soil-water Characteristics and Hydraulic Conductivity of Compacted Loess Considering Compression Deformation

Author information +
History +

Abstract

[Objective] Based on suction-controlled triaxial isotropic compression tests on compacted loess, this study establishes a soil-water characteristic curve (SWCC) and hydraulic conductivity prediction model that accounts for compression deformation. This work aims to provide an accurate and convenient method for predicting the SWCC and hydraulic conductivity of compacted loess under compressive deformation, facilitating seepage analysis in loess embankment engineering. [Method] This study takes the Q2 compacted loess samples from the Phase I Project of mountain flattening and city construction in Yan’an New Area as the research object. Four sets of isotropic compression tests under different constant suctions (y=25, 37, 50, 100 kPa) were conducted by using a GDS unsaturated triaxial apparatus. Building upon the test findings, a power function related to the void ratio is introduced into the four-parameter Fredlund-Xing model to establish a SWCC model considering compressive deformation. The model has fewer parameters, requiring only 7 parameters; the tests are simple, as the model parameters can be obtained only through suction-controlled compression tests and saturated permeability tests; (3) the model also considers the influence of adsorbed water on the hydraulic conductivity. The proposed model is applied to predict the SWCC and hydraulic conductivity curve of Yan’an compacted loess within a wide suction range, and the predicted results are compared with measured test data. [Results] (1) Compressive deformation causes a significant mechanical wetting effect, specifically manifested as follows: a. during the constant suction loading process, the degree of saturation of the samples increases significantly with the development of compressive deformation; b. in the process of compressive deformation, the SWCC of the samples shifts overall to the right as the void ratio decreases, and the air entry value increases significantly. (2) The proposed model can accurately predict the SWCC and hydraulic conductivity of compacted loess under any void ratio within a wide suction range, and its prediction accuracy in the high suction range is significantly higher than that of the Gallipoli model and the CCG model. In addition, the proposed model is used to predict the influence of compressive deformation. During compressive deformation process, as void ratio decreases, the soil-water characteristic curve of compacted loess gradually shifts to the upper right, and the air entry value increases significantly. In the low suction range, the hydraulic conductivity of compacted loess decreases with the decrease of void ratio, while in the medium and high suction ranges, the hydraulic conductivity increases with the decrease of void ratio. The response of the hydraulic conductivity of compacted loess to compressive deformation is essentially caused by the change of the cross-sectional area of water flow and flow paths due to the change of micro-pores. [Conclusion] The proposed model provides a reliable tool for understanding the soil-water characteristics and permeability behavior of compacted loess under compressive deformation. It not only improves the accuracy of seepage analysis in loess filling projects but also provides a theoretical basis for evaluating the stability and safety of engineering structures built on compacted loess.

Key words

compacted loess / soil-water characteristic curve / hydraulic conductivity / compression deformation / prediction

Cite this article

Download Citations
ZHANG Zi-ran , HU Sheng-ming , ZHANG Jia-ning , et al. Prediction of the Soil-water Characteristics and Hydraulic Conductivity of Compacted Loess Considering Compression Deformation[J]. Journal of Changjiang River Scientific Research Institute. 2026, 43(7): 182-189 https://doi.org/10.11988/ckyyb.20250603

References

[1]
Qin B, Li X A, Chai H, et al. Hydromechanical Properties of Unsaturated Compacted Loess Considering Initial Structural Strength Attenuation under Undrained Conditions[J]. Computers and Geotechnics, 2025, 179: 107037.
[2]
葛苗苗, 李宁, 盛岱超, 等. 水力耦合作用下非饱和压实黄土细观变形机制试验研究[J]. 岩土力学, 2021, 42(9): 2437-2448.
(Ge Miao-miao, Li Ning, Sheng Dai-chao, et al. Experimental Investigation of Microscopic Deformation Mechanism of Unsaturated Compacted Loess under Hydraulic Coupling Conditions[J]. Rock and Soil Mechanics, 2021, 42(9): 2437-2448.(in Chinese))
[3]
祁生文, 侯晓坤, 于永堂, 等. 压实黄土场地湿陷沉降机理与黄土高原平山造城适宜性[J]. 科学通报, 2023, 68(14): 1844-1860.
(Qi Sheng-wen, Hou Xiao-kun, Yu Yong-tang, et al. Collapse and Subsidence Mechanism of Compacted Loess and Suitability of Mountain Bulldozing and City Creation Projects in the Loess Plateau of China[J]. Chinese Science Bulletin, 2023, 68(14): 1844-1860.(in Chinese))
[4]
Gao Y, Li Z, Sun D, et al. A Simple Method for Predicting the Hydraulic Properties of Unsaturated Soils with Different Void Ratios[J]. Soil and Tillage Research, 2021, 209: 104913.
[5]
李华, 李同录, 张亚国, 等. 不同干密度压实黄土的非饱和渗透性曲线特征及其与孔隙分布的关系[J]. 水利学报, 2020, 51(8):979-986.
(Li Hua, Li Tong-lu, Zhang Ya-guo, et al. Relationship between Unsaturated Permeability Curve and Pore-size Distribution of Compacted Loess with Different Dry Density[J]. Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, 2020, 51(8): 979-986.(in Chinese))
[6]
胡梦玲, 张小龙, 许文昊, 等. 干密度和增减湿对压实黄土水力特性的影响[J]. 长江科学院院报, 2024, 41(8): 128-134.
(Hu Meng-ling, Zhang Xiao-long, Xu Wen-hao, et al. Influence of Dry Density and Wetting-drying on Hydraulic Characteristics of Compacted Loess[J]. Journal of Yangtze River Scientific Research Institute, 2024, 41(8): 128-134.(in Chinese))
[7]
王铁行, 卢靖, 张建锋. 考虑干密度影响的人工压实非饱和黄土渗透系数的试验研究[J]. 岩石力学与工程学报, 2006, 25(11): 2364-2368.
(Wang Tie-hang, Lu Jing, Zhang Jian-feng. Experimental Study on Permeability Coefficient of Artificially Compacted Unsaturated Loess Considering Influence of Density[J]. Chinese Journal of Rock Mechanics and Engineering, 2006, 25(11): 2364-2368.(in Chinese))
[8]
张林, 李同录, 陈存礼. 考虑干密度影响的压实黄土土水特征与渗透特性试验研究[J]. 岩土工程学报, 2022, 44(5): 945-953.
(Zhang Lin, Li Tong-lu, Chen Cun-li. Soil-water Characteristics and Permeability of Compacted Loess Considering Effects of Dry Density[J]. Chinese Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, 2022, 44(5): 945-953.(in Chinese))
[9]
Hou X, Qi S, Li T, et al. Microstructure and Soil-water Retention Behavior of Compacted and Intact Silt Loess[J]. Engineering Geology, 2020, 277:105814.
[10]
张玉伟, 宋战平, 谢永利. 孔隙变化条件下黄土土水特征曲线预测模型[J]. 岩土工程学报, 2022, 44(11): 2017-2025.
(Zhang Yu-wei, Song Zhan-ping, Xie Yong-li. Prediction Model for Soil-water Characteristic Curve of Loess under Porosity Change[J]. Chinese Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, 2022, 44(11): 2017-2025.(in Chinese))
[11]
王海曼, 倪万魁. 不同干密度压实黄土的饱和/非饱和渗透系数预测模型[J]. 岩土力学, 2022, 43(3):729-736.
(Wang Hai-man, Ni Wan-kui. Prediction Model of Saturated/Unsaturated Permeability Coefficient of Compacted Loess with Different Dry Densities[J]. Rock and Soil Mechanics, 2022, 43(3): 729-736.(in Chinese))
[12]
Lan T G, Xu L, Lu S F. Experimental Study on the Water Retention Behavior of Intact Loess under Mechanical Wetting and Hydraulic Wetting[J]. Acta Geotechnica, 2023, 18(2): 1125-1134.
[13]
Gallipoli D, Wheeler S J, Karstunen M. Modelling the Variation of Degree of Saturation in a Deformable Unsaturated Soil[J]. Géotechnique, 2003, 53(1): 105-112.
[14]
Fredlund D G, Xing A. Equations for the Soil-water Characteristic Curve[J]. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 1994, 31(4): 521-532.
[15]
朱世旺, 李双洋, 姜琪, 等. 基于粒径分布和薄膜水的土水特征曲线模型[J]. 长江科学院院报, 2025, 42(5): 200-207.
(Zhu Shi-wang, Li Shuang-yang, Jiang Qi, et al. Soil-water Characteristic Curve Model Based on Particle Size Distribution and Pellicular Water[J]. Journal of Changjiang River Scientific Research Institute, 2025, 42(5): 200-207.(in Chinese))
[16]
Kebre M B, Cherblanc F, Ouedraogo F, et al. Water Flow in Soil at Small Water Contents: A Simple Approach to Estimate the Relative Hydraulic Conductivity in Sandy Soil[J]. European Journal of Soil Science, 2017, 68(2): 167-176.
[17]
Wang Y, Ma J, Guan H. A Mathematically Continuous Model for Describing the Hydraulic Properties of Unsaturated Porous Media over the Entire Range of Matric Suctions[J]. Journal of Hydrology, 2016, 541: 873-888.
[18]
Fredlund D G, Xing A, Huang S. Predicting the Permeability Function for Unsaturated Soils Using the Soil-water Characteristic Curve[J]. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 1994, 31(4): 533-546.
[19]
Tokunaga T K. Hydraulic Properties of Adsorbed Water Films in Unsaturated Porous Media[J]. Water Resources Research, 2009, 45(6): 2009WR007734.
[20]
Tokunaga T K. Physicochemical Controls on Adsorbed Water Film Thickness in Unsaturated Geological Media[J]. Water Resources Research, 2011, 47(8):2011WR010676.
[21]
Haines W B. Studies in the Physical Properties of Soil. V. the Hysteresis Effect in Capillary Properties, and the Modes of Moisture Distribution Associated Therewith[J]. The Journal of Agricultural Science, 1930, 20(1): 97-116.
[22]
Taylor D W. Fundamentals of Soil Mechanics[M]. New York: Wiley, 1948.
[23]
李燕, 李同录, 侯晓坤, 等. 用孔隙分布曲线预测压实黄土非饱和渗透曲线及其适用范围的探讨[J]. 岩土力学, 2021, 42(9):2395-2404.
(Li Yan, Li Tong-lu, Hou Xiao-kun, et al. Prediction of Unsaturated Permeability Curve of Compaction Loess with Pore-size Distribution Curve and Its Application Scope[J]. Rock and Soil Mechanics, 2021, 42(9): 2395-2404.(in Chinese))
PDF(1343 KB)

Accesses

Citation

Detail

Sections
Recommended

/