Evaluation of Soil-Water Characteristic Curve and Pore-Size Distribution of Fine-Grained Soils

Abstract

A soil’s physical properties, mineral types, and pore structure significantly influence the shape and properties of the soil-water characteristic curve (SWCC). This study investigated the effects of the soil’s physical properties and mineral types on the SWCC and pore-size distribution (PSD). Eight different soils from an alluvial deposit in Istanbul and Adapazarı/Türkiye were used in the study. The test samples were prepared by compaction at optimum water content (OWC) and wet side of optimum water content (wet of OWC). The samples were prepared by consolidation from the slurry. The PSDs of the samples were calculated using the SWCCs and evaluated with scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis. In addition, the mineral types of all soils were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The soil which contains illite-type minerals has higher matric suction than containing kaolin-type. The effect of the clay percentage is more pronounced in silty soils than in plasticity and activity. Soil suction increased with decreasing compaction water content in clayey soils. The air entry water contents rose as the void ratio, liquid limit, clay content, and plasticity increased. The compaction conditions affected the macropore structure more than the micropore structure. In addition, the ratio of macro-micro pore sizes increased with the rise of the compaction water content.

Analysis of Soil–Water Characteristic Curve and Microstructure of Undisturbed Loess

“…2, suggesting that the slope of the SWCC transition zone is not solely determined by the dry density. Factors such as the soil's plasticity index and fine particle content play a crucial role in shaping the SWCC morphology [59,60]. The plasticity indices of samples NO.…”

Analytical and Finite-Element-Method-Based Analyses of Pile Shaft Capacity Subjected to Rainfall Infiltration

“…The type of soil also influences the SWCC results: for instance, high-clay-content soils frequently have steeper SWCCs than soils with a low clay content since the removal of the water from the soil becomes, in this case, more difficult [24]. Kocaman et al [25] stated that the soil structure has an effect on the SWCC as well since healthy soils often have greater voids that facilitate water flow, whereas poor soils typically have fewer pores that may hold water. The size and distribution of the soil pores can be altered by an increase in organic matter content, which has.…”