Abstract
Loess is a special kind of sediment, which has the characteristics of loose structure, pore development, and poor cementation. Its mechanical properties are easily affected by water content. In this study, uniaxial compression, Brazilian test, and a double-sided shear test were performed on samples of loess with different water contents. The influence of water content on the mechanical properties of loess has been thoroughly investigated. The results demonstrate a clear linear relationship between the reduction in mechanical characteristics of the loess samples with increasing water content, including compressive strength, deformation modulus, tensile strength, shear strength, cohesion, and internal friction angle. Three failure types will occur for loess samples in the uniaxial compression test as the water content increases: tensile failure, shear failure with bulging, and conical failure with general thickening. In the shear test, the general expression of the shear strength of loess samples is obtained with water content as the independent variable. Finally, a deterioration coefficient K is derived based on the strength parameters of loess samples and can be used to describe the sensitivity to water content. Shear strength is more susceptible to variations in water content than compressive and tensile strength.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
ASTM Standard 2006 (2006) Annual book of ASTM standards. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, Pa
Chen H, Jiang Y, Gao Y, Yuan X (2018) Structural characteristics and its influencing factors of typical loess. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment 78:4893–4905, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-018-1431-2
Chen L, Peng J, Xie F, Leng Y, Ma P, Nan J, Yan R (2022) Effect of moisture content on the time-dependent mechanical characteristics of loess. Environmental Earth Sciences, 81, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-022-10326-8
GB/T 50123-2019 (2019) China National Standards GB/T5012301999: standard for soil test method. Beijing 100–106 (in Chinese)
Leng YQ, Peng JB, Wang S, Lu F (2021) Development of water sensitivity index of loess from its mechanical properties. Engineering Geology 280:105918, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2020.105918
Li YR (2018) A review of shear and tensile strengths of the Malan Loess in China. Engineering Geology 236:4–10, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2017.02.023
Li B, Miao T (2006) Research on water sensitivity of loess shear strength. Chinese Journal of Rock Mechanics and Engineering 25(5):1003–1008
Li Y, Mo P, Wang Y, Zhang T, Zhang H (2020) Strength anisotropy of Malan loess and the implications for the formation of loess walls and columns. Catena, 194, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2020.104809
Li X-A, Sun J, Ren H, Lu T, Ren Y, Pang T (2022) The effect of particle size distribution and shape on the microscopic behaviour of loess via the DEM. Environmental Earth Sciences, 81, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-022-10404-x
Li P, Xie W, Pak RYS, Vanapalli SK (2019) Microstructural evolution of loess soils from the Loess Plateau of China. Catena 173:276–288, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2018.10.006
Luo H, Wu F, Chang J, Xu J (2018) Microstructural constraints on geotechnical properties of Malan Loess: A case study from Zhaojiaan landslide in Shaanxi province, China. Engineering Geology 236:60–69, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2017.11.002
Matoshko A (2021) Loess and its derivatives in a common sedimentary and geomorphic evolution of the East European Plain. Aeolian Research, 53, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aeolia.2021.100750
Nan J, Peng J, Zhu F, Ma P, Liu R, Leng Y, Meng Z (2021) Shear behavior and microstructural variation in loess from the Yan’an area, China. Engineering Geology, 280, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2020.105964
Nie Y, Ni W, Lü X, Tuo W, Yuan K (2023) Macroscopic mechanical behavior and microstructural evolution of compacted loess in the Chinese Loess Plateau. Soil and Tillage Research, 232, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2023.105767
Peng J, Wang S, Wang Q, Zhuang J, Huang W, Zhu X, Leng Y, Ma P (2019) Distribution and genetic types of loess landslides in China. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 170:329–350, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jseaes.2018.11.015
Tan Q, Bai M, Zhou P, Hu J, Qin X (2021) Geological hazard risk assessment of line landslide based on remotely sensed data and GIS. Measurement, 169, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.measurement.2020.108370
Tang H, Duan Z, Wang D, Dang Q (2019) Experimental investigation of creep behavior of loess under different moisture contents. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment 79:411–422, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-019-01545-8
Wang R, Li Y, Guan F, Fan W, Ma T (2023) Mode I fracturing behavior of Malan loess and implications for the toppling failure of loess slopes. Engineering Geology, 319, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2023.107110
Xie X, Qi L, Li X (2022) Deformation, strength and water variation characteristics of unsaturated compacted loess. Case Studies in Construction Materials, 16, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2022.e01129
Yuan K, Ni W, Lü X, Zhu M, Wang H, Nie Y (2022) Mechanical properties and microstructure evolution of Malan loess. Quaternary International 637:74–84, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2022.06.008
Zhang X, Li Y, Liu Y, Huang Y, Wang Y, Lu Z (2021a) Characteristics and prevention mechanisms of artificial slope instability in the Chinese Loess Plateau. Catena, 207, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2021.105621
Zhang M, Liu J (2009) Controlling factors of loess landslides in western China. Environmental Earth Sciences 59:1671–1680, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-009-0149-7
Zhang L, Qi S, Yu Y, Zhang Y, Li Z, Hou X, Ma L, Zou Y, Guo S, Peng J (2021b) A comparative study on the physical properties of natural sedimentary loess and manual filling compacted loess. Environmental Earth Sciences, 80, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-021-10047-4
Zhi B, Wang P, Liu E, Liu W (2019) A constitutive model for structured loess under high stress conditions. Iranian Journal of Science and Technology, Transactions of Civil Engineering 44:461–470, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40996-019-00318-3
Zhuang J, Peng J, Wang G, Javed I, Wang Y, Li W (2018) Distribution and characteristics of landslide in Loess Plateau: A case study in Shaanxi province. Engineering Geology 236:89–96, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2017.03.001
Acknowledgments
Not Applicable
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wang, Y., Chen, Y., He, Y. et al. Experimental Study of Loess Mechanical Properties with Different Water Content. KSCE J Civ Eng (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-024-1381-0
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-024-1381-0