Abstract
In general, unsaturated hydraulic conductivities are more difficult to estimate than are saturated, but as the soil transitions from intact to cracked, the difficulty in estimating the hydraulic conductivity and the water storage properties increases. One critical step in determination of unsaturated flow hydraulic properties lies in the evaluation of the Soil-Water Characteristic Curve (SWCC). In this paper, the authors' experience with a series of laboratory studies of direct measurements of cracked soil SWCCs is presented, including challenges associated with very low suction control. An oedometer-type SWCC apparatus, capable of suction and net normal stress control was used in these lab studies. This paper also addresses how the Air Entry Value (AEV) of the cracks can be calculated theoretically based on capillary theory, and the results are compared against AEVs determined from laboratory tests.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Unsaturated Soils - Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Unsaturated Soils |
| Pages | 409-415 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Volume | 1 |
| State | Published - 2011 |
| Event | 5th International Conference on Unsaturated Soils - Barcelona, Spain Duration: Sep 6 2010 → Sep 8 2010 |
Other
| Other | 5th International Conference on Unsaturated Soils |
|---|---|
| Country | Spain |
| City | Barcelona |
| Period | 9/6/10 → 9/8/10 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Soil Science
Cite this
Laboratory determination of Soil-Water Characteristic Curves for cracked soil. / Abbaszadeh, M. M.; Houston, Sandra; Zapata, Claudia; Houston, W.; Welfert, Bruno; Walsh, K.
Unsaturated Soils - Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Unsaturated Soils. Vol. 1 2011. p. 409-415.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution
}
TY - GEN
T1 - Laboratory determination of Soil-Water Characteristic Curves for cracked soil
AU - Abbaszadeh, M. M.
AU - Houston, Sandra
AU - Zapata, Claudia
AU - Houston, W.
AU - Welfert, Bruno
AU - Walsh, K.
PY - 2011
Y1 - 2011
N2 - In general, unsaturated hydraulic conductivities are more difficult to estimate than are saturated, but as the soil transitions from intact to cracked, the difficulty in estimating the hydraulic conductivity and the water storage properties increases. One critical step in determination of unsaturated flow hydraulic properties lies in the evaluation of the Soil-Water Characteristic Curve (SWCC). In this paper, the authors' experience with a series of laboratory studies of direct measurements of cracked soil SWCCs is presented, including challenges associated with very low suction control. An oedometer-type SWCC apparatus, capable of suction and net normal stress control was used in these lab studies. This paper also addresses how the Air Entry Value (AEV) of the cracks can be calculated theoretically based on capillary theory, and the results are compared against AEVs determined from laboratory tests.
AB - In general, unsaturated hydraulic conductivities are more difficult to estimate than are saturated, but as the soil transitions from intact to cracked, the difficulty in estimating the hydraulic conductivity and the water storage properties increases. One critical step in determination of unsaturated flow hydraulic properties lies in the evaluation of the Soil-Water Characteristic Curve (SWCC). In this paper, the authors' experience with a series of laboratory studies of direct measurements of cracked soil SWCCs is presented, including challenges associated with very low suction control. An oedometer-type SWCC apparatus, capable of suction and net normal stress control was used in these lab studies. This paper also addresses how the Air Entry Value (AEV) of the cracks can be calculated theoretically based on capillary theory, and the results are compared against AEVs determined from laboratory tests.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84860002888&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84860002888&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:84860002888
SN - 9780415604291
VL - 1
SP - 409
EP - 415
BT - Unsaturated Soils - Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Unsaturated Soils
ER -