Impact of Gap-Graded Soil Geometrical Characteristics on Soil Response to Suffusion

Abstract

The phenomenon of fine particle migration through the voids of the granule skeleton under the seepage force is called suffusion. Relative density, original fine particle content, and gap ratio are thought to play vital roles in the suffusion process. This paper investigates the effect of geometrical characteristics (i.e., original fine particle content, gap ratio, and relative density) on soil structure and mechanical performance (i.e., small strain shear modulus) using the bender element method technique. The small strain shear modulus (G0) is used as a mechanical parameter to evaluate the shear stress transmission of the soil structure along with the erosion process. The comparison between erosion percentage and vertical strain change suggests the alteration in soil fabric after soil erosion. The G0 monitoring results show that packings with a higher original fine particle content have a lower G0 value, whereas the gap ratio and relative density present a positive relationship with G0.