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http://dx.doi.org/10.9720/kseg.2015.3.377

Estimation of Saturation Velocity in Soils During Rainfall using Soil Box Test  

Kim, Chul-Min (Geologic Environment Division, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources)
Song, Young-Suk (Geologic Environment Division, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources)
Kim, Hak-Joon (Department of Geotechnical Disaster Prevention Engineering, Daejeon University)
Publication Information
The Journal of Engineering Geology / v.25, no.3, 2015 , pp. 377-385 More about this Journal
Abstract
We constructed a model test apparatus to evaluate the dependence of the saturation velocity (Vs) in soils on rainfall intensity (IR). The apparatus comprises a soil box, a rainfall simulator, and measuring sensors. The model grounds (60 cm × 50 cm × 15 cm) were formed by Joomunjin standard sand with a relative density of 75%. The rainfall simulator can control the rainfall intensity to reenact the actual rainfall in a soil box. Time Domain Reflectometer (TDR) sensors and tensiometers were installed in the soils to measure changes in the volumetric water content and matric suction due to rainfall infiltration. During the tests, the soil saturation was determined by raising the groundwater table, which was formed at the bottom of the soil box. [Please check that the correct meaning has been maintained.] The wetting front did not form at the ground surface during rainfall because the soil particles were uniform and the coefficient of permeability was relatively high. Our results show that the suction stress of the soils decreased with increasing volumetric water content, and this effect was most pronounced for volumetric water contents of 20%-30%. Based on a regression analysis of the relationship between rainfall intensity and the average saturation velocity, we suggest the following equation for estimating the saturation velocity in soils: Vsavg (cm/sec) = 0.068IR (mm/hr).
Keywords
soil box; rainfall simulator; rainfall intensity; saturation velocity; suction stress;
Citations & Related Records
Times Cited By KSCI : 4  (Citation Analysis)
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