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Numerical analysis of hydrological response in loess excavation and filling area under multi-year precipitation infiltration

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Abstract

In order to study the evolution of the hydrological environment in loess excavation and filling project under multi-year precipitation infiltration, the hydrological responses of the excavation and filling area in Yan’an New District are simulated, based on the actual precipitation data of several years and field monitoring results. In addition, the drainage rate of the blind ditch is defined to characterize the drainage state of the blind ditch. Considering the variation of the drainage state and multi-year precipitation infiltration, different simulated cases are established. The results show that the proposed model is verified by the field monitoring results, which could reliably reflect the evolution of the pore water pressure (PWP) and the groundwater table (GWT). The transient saturated zone is formed near the excavation and filling interface due to the multi-year precipitation infiltration. And the formation and development of the transient saturated zone are closely related to the hydrological response of the loess excavation and filling area. The spatial and temporal variations of PWP and GWT are mainly affected by the changes in precipitation infiltration and drainage capacity of the blind ditch. Moreover, the hydrological response has a certain hysteresis to precipitation and is controlled by the topography and stratum difference of the undisturbed foundation. The research results should be helpful for the stability evaluation of loess excavation and filling project and the design of drainage facilities.

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Data availability

All data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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Funding

This study would not have been possible without financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41402264) and the Natural Science Basic Research Plan in Shaanxi Province of China (Grant No. 2019JQ-085).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Geology and Environment, Xi’an University of Science and Technology, 58 Yanta Middle Road, Xi’an, 710054, China

    Tianshun Wang & Fei Liu

  2. China United Northwest Institute for Engineering Design & Research Co. Ltd., Xi’an, 710077, China

    Yongtang Yu

  3. China Jikan Research Institute of Engineering Investigations and Design Co. Ltd., Xi’an, 710043, China

    Huaien Cai

Authors
  1. Tianshun Wang
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  2. Fei Liu
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  3. Yongtang Yu
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  4. Huaien Cai
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Correspondence to Fei Liu.

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Wang, T., Liu, F., Yu, Y. et al. Numerical analysis of hydrological response in loess excavation and filling area under multi-year precipitation infiltration. Bull Eng Geol Environ 82, 372 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-023-03391-1

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