• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.203-211
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• 2010

An experimental program of isotropic loading tests on a compacted kaolin using a conventional triaxial equipment modified for testing unsaturated soils was perform to investigate a loading collapse curve of unsaturated soils along wetting and drying paths. The test data are presented in terms of effective stress on a range of constant suction. The suction hardening behavior was observed for both wetted and dried samples. With the use of an appropriate effective stress parameter, the unique relationship for loading collapse curve for wetting and drying processes was obtained.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.55-66
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• 2012

To investigate the hysteresis of the suction stress in unsaturated weathered mudstone soils (CL), matric suction and volumetric water content were measured in both drying and wetting processes using Automated Soil-Water Characteristics Curve Apparatus. The drying and wetting processes in unsaturated soils were reproduced in the test; the drying process means to load matric suction to spill pore water from the soils, and the wetting process means to unload matric suction to inject pore water into the soils. Based on the measured result, Soil Water Characteristic Curve(SWCC)s were estimated by van Genuchten model (1980). SWCCs have nonlinear relationship between effective degree of saturation and matric suction. The hysteresis in SWCCs between drying and wetting processes occurred. As a result of estimating Suction Stress Characteristic Curve(SSCC) using Lu and Likos model (2006), the suction stress rapidly increased in the low level of matric suction and then increased slightly. Also, the hysteresis in SSCCs between drying and wetting processes occurred. In order to design geo-structures and check its stability considering unsaturated soil mechanics, therefore, it is more reasonable that the SSCC of drying process should be applied in the condition of rainfall infiltration and the SSCC of wetting process in the condition of evaporation or drainage.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.281-295
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• 2010

A new, automated apparatus is proposed for calculating the Soil-Water Characteristic Curve (SWCC), representing a simple and easily applied testing device for continuous measurements of the volumetric water content and suction of unsaturated soils. The use of this apparatus helps to avoid the errors that arise when performing experiments. Consequently, the apparatus provides greater accuracy in calculating the SWCC of unsaturated soils. The apparatus is composed of a pressure panel, flow cell, water reservoir, air bubble trap, balance, sample-preparation accessories, and measurement system, among other components. The air pressure can attain 300 kPa, and a general test can be completed in a short time. The apparatus can simply control the drying process and wetting process. The changes in volumetric water content that occur during the drying and wetting processes are shown directly in the SWRC program, in real time. As a case study, we performed an SWCC test of Joomunjin sand (75% relative density) to measure matric suction and volumetric water content during both the drying and wetting processes. The test revealed hysteresis behavior, whereby the water content on the wetting curve is always lower than that on the drying curve for a specific matric suction, during the wetting and drying processes. Based on the test results, SWCCs were estimated using the Brooks and Corey, van Genuchten, and Fredlund and Xing models. The van Genuchten model performed best for the given soil conditions, as it yielded the highest coefficient of determination.

• Water for future
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.193-201
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• 1988

A simplified model for higher order scanning curves in the soil water characteristic function is suggested. The conceptual hysteresis models developed by $Mualem_{8,9}$ are simplied for higher order scanning curves. Higher order drying curves are regarded as primary drying curves and the last wetting reversal point is assumed to be on the main wetting curve by moving that point vertically downward. For the higher order wetting curves, it is assumed that these curves can be regarded as primary curves and the last wetting reversal point sits on the imaginary main drying curve which passes through the last wetting reversal point. The water content computed from the simplified model are compared with those obtained from Mualem's original model for second order scanning curves. It is found that absolute differences between the two methods aree relatively small and the simplified model always underestimates for higher order drying curves while it overestimates for higher order wetting curves. Hence, those two tend to compensate each other for repeated drying-wetting processes. The simplified model approximates higher order scanning curves well and reduces computation considerably.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.635-656
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• 2014

A rational estimation of moisture distribution in structural concrete is vital for predicting the possible extent and rate of progression of impending degradation processes. The paper proposes a numerical scheme for analysing the evolution of moisture distribution in concrete subjected to wetting-drying exposure caused by intermittent periods of rainfall. The proposed paradigm is based on the stage wise implementation of non-linear finite element (FE) analysis, with each stage representing a distinct phase of a typical wet-dry cycle. The associated boundary conditions have been constituted to realize the influence of various meteorological elements such as rain, wind, relative humidity and temperature on the exposed concrete surface. The reliability of the developed scheme has been demonstrated through its application for the simulation of experimentally recorded moisture profiles reported in published literature. A sensitivity analysis has also been carried out to study the influence of critical material properties on simulated results. The proposed scheme is vital to the service life modelling of concrete structures in tropical climates which largely remain exposed to the action of alternating rains.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.2369-2379
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• 2013

The Soil-Water Characteristics Curve (SWCC) is affected by the initial density of soil under unsaturated condition. Also, the characteristic of hydraulic conductivity is changed by the initial density of soil. To study the effect of initial density of unsaturated soil, SWCC and the Hydraulic Conductivity Function (HCF) of Jumoonjin sand with various relative densities, 40%, 60% and 75% were measured in both drying and wetting processes. As the results of SWCC estimated by van Genuchten (1980) model, the parameter related to Air Entry Value(AEV), ${\alpha}$ in the wetting process is larger than that in drying process, but the parameters related to the SWCC slope, n and the residual water content, m are larger than those in wetting process. The AEV is increased or Water Entry Value (WEV) is decreased with increasing the relative density of sand. The AEV is larger than the WEV at the same relative density of sand. As the results of HCF estimated by van Genuchten (1980) model which is one of the parameter estimation methods, the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity maintained at a saturated one in the low level of matric suctions and then suddenly decreased just before the AEV or the WEV. The saturated hydraulic conductivity in drying process is larger than that in wetting process. The saturated hydraulic conductivity is decreased with increasing the relative density of sand in both drying and wetting processes. Also, the hysteresis in unsaturated HCFs between drying and wetting process was occurred like the hysteresis in SWCCs. According to the test results, the AEV on SWCC is decreased and the saturated hydraulic conductivity is increased with increasing the initial density. It means that SWCC and HCF are affected by the initial density in the unsaturated soil.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2006.03a
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• pp.28-33
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• 2006

Shallow failures of slopes in weathered soils are caused by infiltration due to prolonged rainfall. These failures are mainly triggered by the deepening of the wetting band accompanied by a decrease in suction induced by the water infiltration. In this paper, hysteresis on soil-water characteristic curve(SWCC) of granite and gneiss weathered soils are investigated using transient flow analysis respectively. Each case was subjected to artificial rainfall intensities and time duration depending on the laboratory-based drying and wetting processes. The results show that the unsaturated seepage on weathered slopes are very much affected by the initial suction of soils and unsaturated permeability of the soils. In addition, a granite weathered soil has a lower air-entry value, residual matric suction, and wetting front suction and less hysteresis loop than a gneiss weathered soil.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.145-155
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• 2012

The matric suction and volumetric water content of Jumunin standard sand with a relative density of 60% were measured using an Automated Soil-Water Characteristic Curve (SWCC) apparatus during both drying and wetting processes. The test time for the drying process was longer than that for the wetting process, because the flow of water is likely to be protected by air trapped in voids within the soils during the drying process. Based on the matric suction and volumetric water content, the SWCC was estimated using the model proposed by van Genuchten (1980). For the drying process, the unsaturated fitting parameters ${\alpha}$, n, and m were 0.399, 8.586, and 0.884, respectively; for the wetting process, the values were 0.548, 5.625, and 8.220, respectively. The hysteresis phenomenon occurred in the SWCCs, which means the SWCC of the drying process is not matched with the SWCC of the wetting process. Using these unsaturated parameters, we estimated the Suction Stress Characteristic Curve (SSCC), based on the relationship between suction stress and the effective degree of saturation. The suction stress showed a rapid decrease when the matric suction exceeds the Air Entry Value (AEV). Therefore, the effective stress of unsaturated soils is different from that of saturated soils when the matric suction exceeds the AEV. The suction stress of the drying process exceeds that of the wetting process for a given effective degree of saturation. The hysteresis phenomenon was also recognized in SSCCs. The hysteresis phenomenon of SSCCs arises from that of SWCCs, which is induced by the ink bottle effect and the contact angle effect. In the case of a sandy slope, the suction stress is positive and acts to enhance the slope stability as the water infiltrates the ground, but is negative when the suction stress exceeds the AEV. The results obtained for the wetting process should be applied in analyses of slope stability, because the process of water infiltration into ground is similar to the wetting process.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.47-54
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• 2024

In current slope stability analysis techniques, slope stability is evaluated based on the saturated-soil theory. However, soil-water characteristics change frequently depending on the climate. Therefore, because the saturated soil theory has limitations, the application of the unsaturated soil theory is necessary for slope stability. It is also important to evaluate the engineering properties of unsaturated soil because the capillary absorption capacity is reduced due to heavy rain, thereby causing a reduction in slope stability. In this study, soil-water characteristic tests were performed using four samples with different fine contents (0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%) using granite-weathered soil in domestic production areas. In particular, to consider the previously conducted drying process as well as the evaluation of stability due to heavy rain on the actual slope, a wetting process was conducted, in which the water content was increased. In addition, the van Genuchten (1980) model, which is the most consistent theoretical equation for the experiment, was used with various theoretical equations, and the parameters were analyzed according to the fine content of the granite-weathered soil for the drying and wetting processes.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.579-588
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• 2015

Recent climage changes have resulted in increases in rainfall intensity and flood frequency as well as the risk of flood damage due to typhoons during the summer season. Water-friendly facilities such as ecological parks and sports facilities have been established on floodplains of rivers since the river improvement project was implemented and increases in the flood levels of rivers due to typhoons can lead to direct flood damage to such facilities. To analyze the hydraulic influence of these water-friendly facilities on floodplains or to evaluate their stability, numerical analysis should be performed in advance. In addition, it is crucial to address the drying and wetting processes generated by water level fluctuations. This study uses a Nays2D model, which analyzes drying and wetting, to examine its applicability to simple terrain in which such fluctuations occur and to natural rivers in which drying occurs. The results of applying this model to sites of actual typhoon events are compared with values measured at water level observatories. Through this comparison, it is determined that values of coefficient of determination ($R^2$), mean absolute error (MAE), and root-mean-square error (RMSE) are 0.988, 0.208, and 0.239, respectively, thus showing a statistically high correlation. In addition, the results are used to calculate flood risk indices for evaluation of such risk for water-friendly facilities constructed on floodplains.