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

  • ZHANG Zi-ran , 1, 2 ,
  • HU Sheng-ming 1 ,
  • ZHANG Jia-ning 3 ,
  • FU Yu-kai 2, 4
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  • 1 Jiangxi University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Nanchang 330099, China
  • 2 Observation and Research Station of Water Cycle and Geological Environment for the Chinese Loess Plateau, Ministry of Education, Zhengning 745399, China
  • 3 Hydrological Center of Shandong Province, Jinan 250000, China
  • 4 Chang’an University, Xi’an 710054, China

Received date: 2025-06-30

  Revised date: 2025-08-15

  Online published: 2025-10-17

Abstract

Accurate and convenient prediction of the soil-water characteristic curve and hydraulic conductivity of compacted loess under compressive deformation holds significant practical importance for seepage analysis in loess fill engineering. For compacted loess specimens from Yan'an, suction-controlled isotropic compression tests were conducted to analyze their hydro-mechanical effects. Based on this, a void ratio-dependent power function was introduced into the Fredlund-Xing model. Furthermore, the contribution of adsorbed water to the hydraulic conductivity in the high-suction range and the influence of void ratio on the saturated hydraulic conductivity were fully considered. These led to the development of a predictive model for soil-water characteristic curve and hydraulic conductivity that accounts for compressive deformation. The model comprises seven parameters, which can be conveniently determined through suction-controlled compression tests and saturated permeability tests. Prediction results demonstrate that the proposed model can accurately predict the soil-water characteristic curve and hydraulic conductivity curve of compacted loess at any void ratio over a wide suction range. As the void ratio decreases during the compression deformation process, the air-entry value of the soil-water characteristic curve increases, and the entire curve shifts upward and rightward. Correspondingly, the hydraulic conductivity exhibits a decreasing trend in the low-suction range, while showing an increase in the medium-to-high suction range.

Cite this article

ZHANG Zi-ran , HU Sheng-ming , ZHANG Jia-ning , FU Yu-kai . Prediction of the Soil-water Characteristic Curve and Hydraulic Conductivity of Compacted Loess Considering Compression Deformation[J]. Journal of Changjiang River Scientific Research Institute, 0 . DOI: 10.11988/ckyyb.20250603

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