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Comparison of Experimental and Predictive Approaches for Determination of Water Retention Curves of Intact Samples of Quaternary Soils

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Abstract

Retention curves were measured for intact samples of Quaternary soils, frequently involved in rainfall-triggered landslides. A full characterization of the retention curves required combined use of several direct and indirect experimental techniques. Experimental data was compared with predictive methods based on grain size distribution and in situ relative density ratio, namely a simple capillary tube prediction model, and the modified Kovacs method which also takes into account adhesive forces. Predicted drying curves captured the trend of the experimental curves, but generally lay below the experimental curves. Retention curve hysteresis was well predicted, particularly with the “Universal Mualem” method. Quick desaturation of the soils for suction above air entry value qualitatively explains why steep natural slopes with intermediate Quaternary sediments remain stable, except during intense short-term rainfall. Deviation between predicted and experimental curves in the low-suction range will affect infiltration analyses. The low-suction range of the retention curve should therefore preferably be measured for studies of rainfall triggering of landslides.

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Acknowledgements

Sincere thanks are directed to Prof. E. Romero for allowing the main author access to the geotechnical laboratory at the Catalonian Technical University (UPC) in Barcelona. All other staff, co-students and research fellows at UPC that gave advice and help are also thanked. Special thanks are directed to Rodrigo Gómez and Alessio Ferrari for invaluable help and encouragement. Staff at the NGI soil laboratory is also thanked for their assistance. Financial support received from the NGI R&D fund is also highly appreciated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Oslo (UiO), Oslo, Norway

    Håkon Heyerdahl

  2. Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), Oslo, Norway

    Håkon Heyerdahl & Thomas Pabst

  3. Polytechnique Montréal, Montréal, Canada

    Thomas Pabst

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  1. Håkon Heyerdahl
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  2. Thomas Pabst
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Correspondence to Håkon Heyerdahl.

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Heyerdahl, H., Pabst, T. Comparison of Experimental and Predictive Approaches for Determination of Water Retention Curves of Intact Samples of Quaternary Soils. Geotech Geol Eng 36, 1365–1385 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-017-0398-2

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