Investigation of Seepage Behavior and Settlement Deformation Mechanisms in Loess Embankment Foundation Systems in Eastern Gansu Province
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Test Design and Scheme
2.1. Supporting Conditions
2.2. Similarity Ratio
2.3. Test Equipment and Model Building
2.3.1. Test Equipment
2.3.2. Model Construction and Sensor Layout
3. Results and Analysis
3.1. Analysis of the Influence of Water Injection on Settlement and Moisture Content
3.2. Settlement Changes with Time
3.3. Finite Element Settlement Simulation Based on Plaxis
3.4. Change of Section Moisture Content
3.5. Relationship Between Moisture Content and Settlement Deformation
4. Conclusions
- (1)
- The greatest changes in moisture content and settlement occur at a depth of 20 cm. Within the same layer, the settlement and moisture content increase as the distance to the slope foot decreases. Due to the combined effects of water seepage and cold air, the settlement exhibits a clear lag. A settlement greater than 0.1 cm is considered effective. The settlement lag time near the slope foot is approximately 4 days (with a permeability of 8 L).
- (2)
- The settlement of the subgrade is primarily concentrated in the slope area due to the increased wetness at the foot of the slope, resulting in a “bending tipping failure”. Finite element simulations using Plaxis show that the settlement profile follows an inverted “S” shape.
- (3)
- A quadratic relationship exists between cumulative settlement deformation and the cumulative moisture content change at each monitoring point. The maximum settlement at each layer is approximately 0.8 cm, occurring near the slope foot.
- (4)
- The addition of a temperature sensor can be used to study the freezing depth of soil under cold conditions, as well as the relationship between temperature, moisture, and settlement and deformation.
- (5)
- The incorporation of a slope spraying device can be used to simulate the effects of atmospheric precipitation-induced slope infiltration.
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Soil Sample | Density ρ (g/cm3) | Dry Density ρd (g/cm3) | Natural Moisture Content ω (%) | Plastic Limit ωp (%) | Liquid Limit ωL (%) | Optimum Moisture Content ωop (%) | Maximum Dry Density ρdmax (g/cm3) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Loess | 1.77 | 1.69 | 9.5 | 9 | 25 | 11.2 | 1.882 |
Type | Range (%) | Measurement Accuracy (%) | Response Time (s) | Operating Environment (°C) |
---|---|---|---|---|
RS485 | 100 | ±1 | <1 | −40~80 °C |
Frequency (Hz) | Sensor | Number of Channels | Acquisition Interval (min) | Connection Mode |
---|---|---|---|---|
10 | Pore water pressure gauge | 20 | 10 | Full bridge |
Type | Layer | Thickness | Dry Density | Compactness | Moisture Content | Compaction Method | Height |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Foundation | 1–20 | 3 cm | 1.69 g/cm3 | 90% | 11.2% | Rubber hammer compaction | 60 cm |
Subgrade | 1–6 | 3 cm | 1.77 g/cm3 | 93% | 11.2% | 18 cm | |
7 | 2 cm | 1.77 g/cm3 | 11.2% | 2 cm |
Type | Thickness (cm) | Effective Cohesion (kPa) | Effective Angle of Internal Friction (°) | Gravity (kN/m3) | Elastic Modulus E (MPa) | Poisson’s Ratio v | Saturated Permeability Coefficient (cm/s) | Permeability Coefficient (cm/s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Foundation | 0–60 | 19.8 | 32.9 | 16.9 | 8 | 0.33 | 5.41 × 10−6 | 3.93 × 10−6 |
Subgrade | 0–20 | 19.8 | 32.9 | 17.5 | 8 | 0.33 | 1.12 × 10−7 | 8.67 × 10−7 |
Layer | Fitted Equation | Coefficient of Determination |
---|---|---|
At a depth of 40 cm in the foundation | S = −0.29w2 + 1.03w − 0.1 | R2 = 0.92 |
At a depth of 20 cm in the foundation | S = −0.01w2 + 0.17w + 0.31 | R2 = 0.987 |
Interface between the subgrade and foundation | S = −0.55w2 + 1.65w − 0.48 | R2 = 0.98 |
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Wang, W.; Li, W.; Zhang, P.; Liu, L. Investigation of Seepage Behavior and Settlement Deformation Mechanisms in Loess Embankment Foundation Systems in Eastern Gansu Province. Appl. Sci. 2025, 15, 3789. https://doi.org/10.3390/app15073789
Wang W, Li W, Zhang P, Liu L. Investigation of Seepage Behavior and Settlement Deformation Mechanisms in Loess Embankment Foundation Systems in Eastern Gansu Province. Applied Sciences. 2025; 15(7):3789. https://doi.org/10.3390/app15073789
Chicago/Turabian StyleWang, Wei, Wei Li, Pengxiang Zhang, and Lulu Liu. 2025. "Investigation of Seepage Behavior and Settlement Deformation Mechanisms in Loess Embankment Foundation Systems in Eastern Gansu Province" Applied Sciences 15, no. 7: 3789. https://doi.org/10.3390/app15073789
APA StyleWang, W., Li, W., Zhang, P., & Liu, L. (2025). Investigation of Seepage Behavior and Settlement Deformation Mechanisms in Loess Embankment Foundation Systems in Eastern Gansu Province. Applied Sciences, 15(7), 3789. https://doi.org/10.3390/app15073789