Model Test Study on Deformation Characteristics of a Fissured Expansive Soil Slope Subjected to Loading and Irrigation
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Background and Specimen Preparation
2.1. Background
2.2. Specimen Preparation
3. Methodology
3.1. Slope Model Preparation
3.2. Data Processing Method
3.3. Test Steps
4. Results and Discussion
4.1. Deformation Characteristics of the Expansive Soil Slope Model with No Prefabricated Crack
4.2. Deformation Characteristics of the Expansive Soil Slope Model with One Crack
4.3. Deformation Characteristics of the Expansive Soil Slope Model with Crack Networks
4.4. Deformation Characteristics of the Expansive Soil Slope Model after Reinforcement
5. Conclusions
- Overburden pressure or gravity stress results in tensile strain in the middle and compressive strain at the foot of the expansive soil slope without prefabricated cracks. Water infiltration promotes the extension of tensile strain on the surface of the slope.
- Excessive overlying stress revives the existing cracks and produces sliding along the crack interface of an expansive soil slope with one crack. Additionally, water infiltration promotes the formation of a shallow sliding surface.
- The sliding surface commonly appears where crack networks exist in the shallow of an expansive soil slope. Water infiltration promotes the extension of tensile strain on the surface of the slope with crack networks, which intensifies the formation of surface- or shallow-layer sliding surfaces.
- The middle and foot of the fissured expansive soil slope are the key positions for reinforcement, which were revealed by the mutual transformation of tensile strain and compressive strain on the surface of the slope.
- The controlling effects of cracks on strain continuity, stress transfer and the stability of the expansive soil slope were revealed from the perspective of slope strain development under different loadings and irrigation.
- Water infiltration has a great influence on the stability of the slope surface; more importantly, it causes the sliding surface of the fissured expansive soil slope to be shallower.
- Because the water used in the test was plain water, there was no color mark, so the flow of water could not be seen in the seepage process. In future studies, colored water or tracers could be used for seepage tests to track fluid flow through cracks.
- The quantitative study of the effect of cracks on slope stability should be the focus of future work.
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Conflicts of Interest
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Water Content (%) | Dry Density (g/cm3) | Free Expansion Rate (%) | Confined Expansion Rate (%) | Unconfined Compressive Strength (kPa) | Smectite Content (%) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
21.0~23.0 | 1.55~1.75 | 40~65 | 3.0~6.0 | 180~210 | 16.5~19.6 |
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Li, Z.; Kong, Y.; Fu, L.; Zhou, Y.; Qian, Z.; Hu, R. Model Test Study on Deformation Characteristics of a Fissured Expansive Soil Slope Subjected to Loading and Irrigation. Appl. Sci. 2021, 11, 10891. https://doi.org/10.3390/app112210891
Li Z, Kong Y, Fu L, Zhou Y, Qian Z, Hu R. Model Test Study on Deformation Characteristics of a Fissured Expansive Soil Slope Subjected to Loading and Irrigation. Applied Sciences. 2021; 11(22):10891. https://doi.org/10.3390/app112210891
Chicago/Turabian StyleLi, Zhiqing, Youxing Kong, Le Fu, Yingxin Zhou, Zhengfu Qian, and Ruilin Hu. 2021. "Model Test Study on Deformation Characteristics of a Fissured Expansive Soil Slope Subjected to Loading and Irrigation" Applied Sciences 11, no. 22: 10891. https://doi.org/10.3390/app112210891
APA StyleLi, Z., Kong, Y., Fu, L., Zhou, Y., Qian, Z., & Hu, R. (2021). Model Test Study on Deformation Characteristics of a Fissured Expansive Soil Slope Subjected to Loading and Irrigation. Applied Sciences, 11(22), 10891. https://doi.org/10.3390/app112210891