Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

The effect of drying and wetting cycles on the mechanical properties and particle breakage of carbonate sand

  • Research Paper
  • Published:
Acta Geotechnica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

For islands in marine environments, groundwater levels vary due to the influence of tides. As a result, the external environment of backfilled carbonate sands on islands alternates between dry and wet conditions. In this paper, a series of one-dimensional compression tests and direct shear tests were carried out to examine the compression characteristics, shear strength and particle breakage of carbonate sand from the Xisha Islands subjected to drying and wetting cycles. Drying and wetting cycles dramatically increased the compressibility and reduced the shear strength of the carbonate sand. Based on the test results, a modified compression model was suggested to consider the effect of drying and wetting cycles, and the influence of drying and wetting cycles on shear strength was also presented. Sieving test results showed that the carbonate sand particles were more prone to crushing under the influence of drying and wetting cycles, which could be the main reason for the changes in the mechanical properties of the carbonate sand. In both compression and shear tests, there was a good linear relationship between relative breakage and drying and wetting cycles, as well as between fractal dimension and drying and wetting cycles. However, the relationship between fractal dimension and relative breakage differed between the two tests, suggesting that particle breakage evolves according to different modes under different stress paths. The changes in the mechanical properties and particle breakage of carbonate sand under drying and wetting cycles warrant the attention of engineers.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17
Fig. 18
Fig. 19
Fig. 20

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

References

  1. Altuhafi FN, Coop MR (2011) Changes to particle characteristics associated with the compression of sands. Géotechnique 61(6):459–471. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.9.p.114

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Akcanca F, Aytekin M (2012) Effect of wetting-drying cycles on swelling behavior of lime stabilized sand-bentonite mixtures. Environ Earth Sci 66(1):67–74. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-011-1207-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. ASTM D3080/D3080M-11 (2011) Standard test method for direct shear test of soils under consolidated drained conditions. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA. https://doi.org/10.1520/D3080_D3080M-11

  4. ASTM D4253-16 (2016) Standard test methods for maximum index density and unit weight of soils using a vibratory table. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA. https://doi.org/10.1520/D4253-16

  5. ASTM D4254-16 (2016) Standard test methods for minimum index density and unit weight of soils and calculation of relative density. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA. https://doi.org/10.1520/D4254-16

  6. ASTM D2435/D2435M-11 (2020) Standard test methods for one-dimensional consolidation properties of soils using incremental loading. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA. https://doi.org/10.1520/D2435_D2435M-11R20

  7. Ball MM (1967) Carbonate sand bodies of Florida and the Bahamas. J Sediment Res. https://doi.org/10.1306/74d7171c-2b21-11d7-8648000102c1865d

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Bauer E (1996) Calibration of a comprehensive hypoplastic model for granular materials. Soils Found 36(1):13–26. https://doi.org/10.3208/sandf.36.13

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Brandes HG (2011) Simple shear behavior of calcareous and quartz sands. Geotech Geol Eng 29(1):113–1126. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-010-9357-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Coop MR (1990) The mechanics of uncemented carbonate sands. Géotechnique 40(4):607–626. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.1990.40.4.607

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Coop MR, Sorensen KK, Freitas TB, Georgoutsos G (2004) Particle breakage during shearing of a carbonate sand. Géotechnique 54(3):157–163. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.2004.54.3.157

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Esfandiari Z, Ajdari M, Vahedifard F (2021) Time-dependent deformation characteristics of unsaturated sand-bentonite mixture under drying-wetting cycles. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 147(3):04020172. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0002455

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Estabragh AR, Parsaei B, Javadi AA (2015) Laboratory investigation of the effect of cyclic wetting and drying on the behaviour of an expansive soil. Soils Found 55(2):304–314. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sandf.2015.02.007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Giretti D, Fioravante V, Been K, Dickenson S (2018) Mechanical properties of a carbonate sand from a dredged hydraulic fill. Géotechnique 68(5):410–420. https://doi.org/10.1680/jgeot.16.P.304

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Guney Y, Sari D, Cetin M, Tuncan M (2007) Impact of cyclic wetting-drying on swelling behaviour of lime-stabilized soil. Build Environ 42(2):681–688. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2005.10.035

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Hardin BO (1985) Crushing of soil particles. J Geotech Eng 111(10):1177–1192. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)0733-9410(1985)111:10(1177)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Hewayde E, Nehdi M, Allouche E, Nakhla G (2007) Effect of mixture design parameters and wetting-drying cycles on resistance of concrete to sulfuric acid attack. J Mater Civ Eng 19(2):155–163. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0899-1561(2007)19:2(155)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Hu CM, Yuan YL, Mei Y, Wang XY, Liu Z (2020) Comprehensive strength deterioration model of compacted loess exposed to drying-wetting cycles. Bull Eng Geol Environ 79(1):383–398. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-019-01561-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Ishihara K (1996) Soil behavior in earthquake geotechnics. Oxford University Press, New York, USA, pp 339–340

    Google Scholar 

  20. Khanlari G, Abdilor Y (2015) Influence of wet-dry, freeze-thaw, and heat-cool cycles on the physical and mechanical properties of upper red sandstones in central Iran. Bull Eng Geol Environ 74(4):1287–1300. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-014-0691-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Kong L, Sayem HM, Tian H (2018) Influence of drying-wetting cycles on soil-water characteristic curve of undisturbed granite residual soils and microstructure mechanism by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spin-spin relaxation time (T2) relaxometry. Can Geotech J 55(2):208–216. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2016-0614

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Li G, Wang F, Ma W, Fortier R, Mu Y, Mao Y, Hou X (2018) Variations in strength and deformation of compacted loess exposed to wetting-drying and freeze-thaw cycles. Cold Reg Sci Technol 151:159–167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2018.03.021

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Liu X, Li S, Sun LQ (2020) The study of dynamic properties of carbonate sand through a laboratory database. Bull Eng Geol Environ 79(7):3843–3855. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-020-01785-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Lin L, Li S, Sun LQ, Liu XL, Chen WW (2020) Evolution of particle size distribution for carbonate sand under impact load. Powder Technol 376:549–564. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2020.08.046

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Mao X, Fahey M (2003) Behaviour of calcareous soils in undrained cyclic simple shear. Géotechnique 53(8):715–727. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.2003.53.8.715

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Moore CH (1989) Carbonate diagenesis and porosity. Elsevier, New York, USA

    Google Scholar 

  27. Porcino D, Caridi G, Ghionna VN (2008) Undrained monotonic and cyclic simple shear behaviour of carbonate sand. Géotechnique 58(8):635–644. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.2007.00036

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Pestana JM, Whittle AJ (1995) Compression model for cohesionless soils. Géotechnique 45(4):611–631. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.1995.45.4.611

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Rao SM, Revanasiddappa K (2006) Influence of cyclic wetting drying on collapse behaviour of compacted residual soil. Geotech Geol Eng 24(3):725–734. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-004-5077-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Rotzoll K, El-Kadi AI, Gingerich SB (2008) Analysis of an unconfined aquifer subject to asynchronous dual-tide propagation. Ground Water 46(2):239–250. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6584.2007.00412.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Salem M, Elmamlouk H, Agaiby S (2013) Static and cyclic behavior of North Coast calcareous sand in Egypt. Soil Dyn Earthq Eng 55:83–91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soildyn.2013.09.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Sayem HM, Kong LW, Yin S (2016) Effect of drying-wetting cycles on saturated shear strength of undisturbed residual soils. Am J Civ Eng 4(4):159–166. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajce.20160404.15

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Semple R (1988) State of the art report on engineering properties of carbonate soils. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Calcareous Sediments, Perth, Australia, Vol. 2, pp. 807–836

  34. Shahnazari H, Rezvani R (2013) Effective parameters for the particle breakage of calcareous sands: an experimental study. Eng Geol 159:98–105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2013.03.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Shang GW, Sun LQ, Li S, Liu XL, Chen WW (2020) Experimental study of the shear strength of carbonate gravel. Bull Eng Geol Environ 79(5):2381–2394. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-019-01704-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Sridharan A, Abraham BM, Jose BT (1991) Improved technique for estimation of preconsolidation pressure. Géotechnique 41(2):263–268. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.1991.41.2.263

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Stoltz G, Cuisinier O, Masrouri F (2014) Weathering of a lime-treated clayey soil by drying and wetting cycles. Eng Geol 181:281–289. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2014.08.013

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Sun P, Li H, Boufadel MC, Geng X, Chen S (2008) An analytical solution and case study of groundwater head response to dual tide in an island leaky confined aquifer. Water Resour Res 44:W12501. https://doi.org/10.1029/2008WR006893

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Sun Q, Zhang YL (2019) Combined effects of salt, cyclic wetting and drying cycles on the physical and mechanical properties of sandstone. Eng Geol 248:70–79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2018.11.009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Tang J, Cheng H, Zhang Q, Chen W, Li Q (2018) Development of properties and microstructure of concrete with coral reef sand under sulphate attack and drying-wetting cycles. Constr Build Mater 165:647–654. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.01.085

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Tong CX, Burton GJ, Zhang S, Sheng DC (2020) Particle breakage of uniformly graded carbonate sands in dry/wet condition subjected to compression/shear tests. Acta Geotech 15:2379–2394. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-020-00931-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Tyler SW, Wheatacraft SW (1992) Fractal scaling of soil particle-size distributions: analysis and limitations. Soil Sci Soc Am J 56(2):362–369. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1992.03615995005600020005x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Vergara M, Triantafyllidis T (2015) Swelling behavior of volcanic rocks under cyclic wetting and drying. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 80:231–240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2015.08.021

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Wang X, Jiao Y, Wang R, Hu M, Meng Q, Tan F (2011) Engineering characteristics of the calcareous sand in Nansha Islands, South China Sea. Eng Geol 120:40–47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2011.03.011

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Wu J, Li H, Wang Z, Liu J (2016) Transport model of chloride ions in concrete under loads and drying-wetting cycles. Constr Build Mater 112:733–738. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.02.167

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Wu Y, Li N, Wang X, Cui J, Chen Y, Wu Y, Yamamoto H (2021) Experimental investigation on mechanical behavior and particle crushing of calcareous sand retrieved from South China Sea. Eng Geol 280:105932. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2020.105932

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Xiao Y, Liu H, Xiao P, Xiang J (2016) Fractal crushing of carbonate sands under impact loading. Géotech Lett 6(3):199–204. https://doi.org/10.1680/jgele.16.00056

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Xiao Y, Liu HL, Chen QS, Ma QF, Xiang YZ, Zheng YR (2017) Particle breakage and deformation of carbonate sands with wide range of densities during compression loading process. Acta Geotech 12(5):1177–1184. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-017-0580-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Xiao Y, Yuan Z, Lv Y, Wang L (2018) Fractal crushing of carbonate and quartz sands along the specimen height under impact loading. Constr Build Mater 182:188–199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.06.112

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Xiao Y, Wang L, Jiang X, Evans TM, Stuedlein AW, Liu H (2019) Acoustic emission and force drop in grain crushing of carbonate sands. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 145(9):04019057. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)gt.1943-5606.0002141

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Xiao Y, Desai CS, Daouadji A, Stuedlein AW, Liu H, Abuel-Naga H (2020) Grain crushing in geoscience materials-key issues on crushing response, measurement and modeling: review and preface. Geosci Front 11(2):363–374. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsf.2019.11.006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. Yu FW (2017) Particle breakage and the drained shear behavior of sands. Int J Geomech 17(8):04017041. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000919

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Yu FW (2018) Particle breakage in triaxial shear of a coral sand. Soils Found 58:866–880. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sandf.2018.04.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Yu FW (2018) Particle breakage and the undrained shear behavior of sands. Int J Geomech 18(7):04018079. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0001203

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. Yu FW (2019) Influence of particle breakage on behavior of coral sands in triaxial tests. Int J Geomech 19(12):04019131. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000919

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Zhang JR, Luo MX (2020) Dilatancy and critical state of calcareous sand incorporating particle breakage. Int J Geomech 20(4):04020030. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0001637

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 42072294 and 51890911) and Tianjin Research Innovation Project for Postgraduate Students (Grant No. 2021YJSB183).

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 42072294 and 51890911) and Tianjin Research Innovation Project for Postgraduate Students (Grant No. 2021YJSB183).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Civil Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300350, China

    Xin Liu, Sa Li, Jiangsong Yin & Tingting Li

  2. State Key Laboratory of Hydraulic Engineering Simulation and Safety, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300350, China

    Sa Li, Jiangsong Yin & Tingting Li

Authors
  1. Xin Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sa Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jiangsong Yin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Tingting Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sa Li.

Ethics declarations

Conflicts of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Consent for publication

The authors declare that this is an original paper which has neither previously been published, nor under review at any other publication.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Liu, X., Li, S., Yin, J. et al. The effect of drying and wetting cycles on the mechanical properties and particle breakage of carbonate sand. Acta Geotech. 17, 4641–4654 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-022-01556-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-022-01556-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation