Soils and Foundations最新文献

{"title":"Soil compaction control by monitoring compacted states based on soil stiffness indices","authors":"F. Tatsuoka ,&nbsp;T. Yoshida ,&nbsp;H. Nagai ,&nbsp;Y. Tomita ,&nbsp;R. Latimer ,&nbsp;Y. Kikuchi ,&nbsp;J. Koseki","doi":"10.1016/j.sandf.2025.101709","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sandf.2025.101709","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A number of empirical equations, expressing the various types of soil stiffness indices (<em>SSIs</em>) of compacted soil as functions of dry density ρ_d and degree of saturation <em>S</em>_r, are summarized in this study. They are generalized in the normalized form of <em>SSI</em>= <em>C</em>_SSI·<em>F</em>_SSI(Δ<em>S</em>_r)·<em>G</em>_SSI([<em>D</em>_c]_1Ec). <em>C</em>_SSI is the coefficient, different for different <em>SSI</em> test conditions, <em>F</em>_SSI(Δ<em>S</em>_r) is a decreasing function of Δ<em>S</em>_r= <em>S</em>_r – “the optimum, (<em>S</em>_r)_opt” with <em>F</em>_SSI(Δ<em>S</em>_r = 0) = 1.0, and <em>G</em>_SSI([<em>D</em>_c]_1Ec) is an increasing function of the degree of compaction by the Standard Proctor test, [<em>D</em>_c]_1Ec, with <em>G</em>_SSI([<em>D</em>_c]_1Ec = 100 %) = 1.0. Under the various conditions of the data, the <em>G</em>_SSI functions are rather similar, whereas the <em>F</em>_SSI functions are largely different. With drained <em>SSIs</em> evaluated at relatively low strains and relatively low confining pressures, <em>F</em>_SSI is considerably large when Δ<em>S</em>_r &lt; 0 due to the fairly large effects of <em>S</em>_r on these <em>SSIs</em>. As a result, when <em>S</em>_r is in a certain range just below (<em>S</em>_r)_opt, the <em>SSIs</em> become the effective indices of water content <em>w</em>, rather than ρ_d. The compacted water content can be estimated and controlled to remain within a narrow range centered at the target by keeping the frequently measured field <em>SSIs</em> between the defined upper and lower thresholds. The procedure for determining the target and the upper and lower bounds of the <em>SSIs</em>, based on field calibration compaction test data and relevant normalized empirical <em>SSI</em> equations, is explained. A simplified method is proposed, which suggests that, when field <em>SSIs</em> are kept between 0.5 and 2.0 times the target <em>SSI</em>, compacted <em>w</em> values are expected to be approximately maintained between 0.8 and 1.2 times the target <em>w</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21857,"journal":{"name":"Soils and Foundations","volume":"66 1","pages":"Article 101709"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145884616","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of specimen preparation methods on polymer–montmorillonite interactions and hydraulic conductivity of polymer-modified bentonite–sand mixtures","authors":"Qingyuan Zhao ,&nbsp;Kunlin Ruan ,&nbsp;Daichi Ito ,&nbsp;Guodong Cai ,&nbsp;Hao Wang ,&nbsp;Hideo Komine","doi":"10.1016/j.sandf.2025.101711","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sandf.2025.101711","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In this study, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) was used to modify bentonite (PMB) via wet blending (WB) and dry blending (DB) methods and then polymer-modified bentonite–sand mixtures (PMBSM) were produced based on PMB. Free swell index and hydraulic conductivity (<em>k</em>) tests were conducted on these specimens. Several experiments, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), cation exchangeable capacity (<em>CEC</em>) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to elucidate how polymer interacted with montmorillonite for different preparation methods. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) tests were used to elucidate the PMBSM microfabric characteristics. Swell index results indicated higher swelling potential of WB-PMB than that of DB-PMB. XRD, <em>CEC</em>, and FTIR test results suggested that polymer intercalation between montmorillonite layers props interlayer spacing for WB-PMB. DB-PMB had a phase-separated interaction by which polymer chains did not interact with montmorillonite. Hydraulic conductivity tests indicated that low <em>k</em>, approximately 10 times lower than BSM, was maintained by DB-PMBSM for all bentonite contents (Bc). By contrast, WB-PMBSM and BSM had similar <em>k</em> under low Bc conditions (10 %). However, when the Bc increased to 30 %, WB-PMBSM exhibited lower <em>k</em> than either BSM and DB-PMBSM, suggesting that different mechanisms control <em>k</em> of WB and DB-PMBSM. Conceptual models were proposed, relating the interaction mechanism and hydraulic performance of PMBSM.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21857,"journal":{"name":"Soils and Foundations","volume":"66 1","pages":"Article 101711"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145841100","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Shear wave velocity based prediction of CaCO3 content and UCS in MICP-treated soils with different particle sizes","authors":"Yuhang Zeng ,&nbsp;Hui Xu ,&nbsp;Yubin Zheng ,&nbsp;Hao Zheng ,&nbsp;Ping Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.sandf.2025.101700","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sandf.2025.101700","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>As an emerging soil reinforcement technology, microbial-induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) requires in-situ testing to assess its field performance. Shear wave velocity (<em>V</em>_s) is a viable in-situ method. However, a clear predictive model linking its variations with the CaCO₃ content (<em>C</em>_m) and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of MICP-treated soil—considering particle size as a variable—remains to be established, constraining broader applications of this approach. This study conducts MICP treatment tests on mixtures of excavated soil (silty sand) and surplus sludge (elastic silt), using the mean particle size (<em>d</em>₅₀) as the indicator of particle size. In addition, by varying the sludge proportion (<em>P</em>_s), the impact of particle size on the <em>V</em>_s, <em>C</em>_m, and UCS is examined. During the MICP process, an increase in <em>P</em>_s reduces the increase rate of <em>C</em>_m and <em>V</em>_s. Moreover, <em>V</em>_s stabilizes about 10 h earlier than <em>C</em>_m at a given <em>P</em>_s. This is probably attributed to a shift in CaCO₃ precipitation modes from significant strength/stiffness enhancement for soil mixtures to minor contribution. After MICP treatment, <em>V</em>_s, <em>C</em>_m, and UCS decrease linearly with increasing <em>P</em>_s. Following this, <em>V</em>_s-based prediction models for <em>C</em>_m and UCS are respectively developed by considering the particle size. The prediction models are proven to accurately forecast <em>C</em>_m and UCS in MICP-treated soils with different <em>d</em>₅₀ values. This advancement enhances in-situ monitoring techniques that employ <em>V</em>_s to evaluate MICP cementation effectiveness.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21857,"journal":{"name":"Soils and Foundations","volume":"65 6","pages":"Article 101700"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145222702","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Microstructural characterisation of foam-induced porosity in lightweight cemented soils using X-ray micro-tomography","authors":"F. Ferriero ,&nbsp;L. Perrotta ,&nbsp;L. Pappalardo ,&nbsp;G. Buono ,&nbsp;E. Vitale ,&nbsp;G. Russo","doi":"10.1016/j.sandf.2025.101706","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sandf.2025.101706","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Lightweight Cemented Soils (LWCS), produced by mixing natural soil, water, cement and air foam, are characterised by high workability, good mechanical properties and reduced unit weight. Their microstructure is complex and consists of large foam-induced voids embedded within a cemented porous matrix. The matrix has been recently studied, whereas there is a lack of knowledge about the distribution, size and stability of foam-induced voids during the chemo-physical evolution of the system. In this study, a novel microstructural investigation has been developed by performing X-ray microtomography on LWCS samples lightened with 40 % of foam at increasing curing time. The use of this technique allows quantitative analysis on the evolution of the foam-induced voids, not achievable by other conventional experimental techniques (<em>e.g</em>., Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry). Image analysis of X-ray microtomography scans shows that the foam-induced porosity remains stable (<em>i.e</em>., without collapse or coalescence) over curing time, whereas shrinkage fractures due to cement hydration lead to a slight increase of the porosity. Moreover, the frequency of largest voids decreases slightly due to precipitation of new compounds. The hydraulic conductivity of LWCS is estimated for the first time through a Pore Network Model, based on the real microstructure of the material, obtained from X-ray microtomography scans. The computed hydraulic conductivity is compared with the permeability of the matrix (<em>i.e</em>. cemented sample without foam) derived from Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry test and with the hydraulic conductivity estimated from experimental tests. The numerical result shows a good agreement with the experimental data (the values are of the same order of magnitude i.e.<em>,</em> 10⁻¹⁰ m/s), highlighting that, for the considered foam content, hydraulic conductivity of LWCS is primarily controlled by the permeability of the matrix, as air voids and shrinkage fractures are isolated and accessible only through the matrix.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21857,"journal":{"name":"Soils and Foundations","volume":"65 6","pages":"Article 101706"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145474269","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Triaxial mechanical properties and microstructure of Tianjin clay stabilized with fly ash-based geopolymer","authors":"Rui Jia ,&nbsp;Zhenxing Chu","doi":"10.1016/j.sandf.2025.101687","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sandf.2025.101687","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The triaxial mechanical properties and microscopic mechanisms of fly ash-based geopolymer-stabilized Tianjin clays with different fly ash (FA) contents, alkaline activator (AA) contents, curing times and confining pressures were investigated via triaxial and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) tests. Based on the triaxial test results, compared with the unstabilized clay, the stabilized clay exhibited a steeper stress–strain curve, a greater peak strength and pronounced strain softening behavior. A significant increase in cohesion (from 4.18 kPa to 64.5 kPa) and a slight reduction in the internal friction angle (from 30.3° to 28.6°) occurred after geopolymer stabilization. The stiffness, peak strength and residual strength of stabilized clay generally increased with increasing FA content, AA content, curing time and confining pressure. An FA/clay ratio greater than 0.1 and an AA/FA ratio greater than 0.6 were needed to achieve high strength at ambient temperature. The stabilized clay exhibited a significant strength improvement after 28 d and had a relatively high long-term strength. SEM results revealed that the chemical reactions between FA and AA led to the formation of sodium aluminosilicate hydrate (N-A-S-H) gel, which strengthened the bonds, filled the voids and reduced the porosity of the clay. As a result, the overall stiffness and strength of the stabilized clay improved. SEM analysis revealed that with a higher FA/clay ratio, a higher AA/FA ratio or a longer curing time, the geopolymerization process was more pronounced, leading to increased formation of the N-A-S-H gel and resulting in a more densely stacked and stronger bonded structure.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21857,"journal":{"name":"Soils and Foundations","volume":"65 6","pages":"Article 101687"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145108723","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Normal and seismic performance of backfill sand enhanced with biomass waste-derived materials under road pavement","authors":"Yinglong Liu ,&nbsp;Maliki Otieboame Djandjieme ,&nbsp;Kimitoshi Hayano ,&nbsp;Hiromoto Yamauchi ,&nbsp;Cong Li","doi":"10.1016/j.sandf.2025.101655","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sandf.2025.101655","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Sandy soils used in backfilling to support daily traffic and pavement loads are prone to liquefaction during earthquakes, causing extensive damage to underground infrastructures, disrupting daily life, and requiring costly repairs. Although stabilizers, such as cement-based treatments, have been widely used to address liquefaction, concerns regarding their environmental effects, particularly carbon emissions during cement production, necessitate the investigation into more sustainable materials. Compared with traditional cement-based materials, paper sludge ash-based stabilizer (PSAS) processing emits significantly lower amounts of carbon dioxide. Furthermore, PSA is produced as a by-product of paperboard and roll paper manufacturing, and wood is a renewable resource, while cement is made from limestone, a nonrenewable natural resource. In this study, PSAS-treated backfill sand was synthesized to assess its strength, liquefaction resistance, and durability. The PSAS-treated sand maintained a compressive strength of approximately 500 kPa at an addition ratio of 5.0 %, ensuring moderate strength for excavations near manholes and pipes. Consolidated drained triaxial compression tests showed that the cohesion (<em>c_d</em>) increased significantly with extended curing periods, increased density, and higher additive contents. Conversely, the angle of shear resistance (<em>ϕ</em>_d) remained largely unchanged with variations in density and curing periods, but increased as the additive content was increased. In addition, the treated sand demonstrated non-liquefaction behavior with increased deformation resistance over time. During dry–wet curing cycles, the compressive strength of the PSAS-treated sand initially increased, but then decreased as the number of cycles increased. However, the cone resistance of treated sand remained significantly higher than that of untreated sand, indicating high durability under restrained conditions. Thus, PSAS-treated sand was seen to meet the desired mechanical and structural requirements, while adhering to environmental sustainability goals, demonstrating significant potential as a backfill material in areas with seismic activity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21857,"journal":{"name":"Soils and Foundations","volume":"65 6","pages":"Article 101655"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145269633","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dewatering of bentonite slurries by the combined use of polymeric ferric sulfate (PFS) and optimized flocculation-preloading-electroosmosis (FPE)","authors":"Zhijia Xue ,&nbsp;Qiquan Deng ,&nbsp;Xin Hou ,&nbsp;Xiao Lu ,&nbsp;Ziwei Zhang ,&nbsp;Chuanxin Du ,&nbsp;Zhifeng Tian","doi":"10.1016/j.sandf.2025.101701","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sandf.2025.101701","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To improve the dewatering of bentonite slurries, a combined approach using polymeric ferric sulfate (PFS) and preloading was introduced into a pretreatment program for electroosmotic dewatering. The mechanisms underlying the promotion of electroosmotic dewatering by PFS and the optimization of the flocculation-preloading-electroosmosis process were investigated. The flocculation effect of the slurry was positively correlated with PFS. A 2 % PFS solution increased flocculation settlement by 164.3 %, mainly by promoting the conversion of weakly bound water into free water and increasing the effective stress of the bentonite slurry. The bridging action of PFS flocculation promoted the formation of clear water flow channels, thus enhancing electroosmotic dewatering. Additionally, PFS reduced the proportion of electroosmotic dewatering in the FPE dewatering process, leading to lower power consumption. Preloading promoted dewatering and minimized the variations in flocculation settlement resulting from different PFS dosages during the flocculation dewatering stage. During electroosmosis, the pressure loading induced the closure of cracks formed due to negative pore water pressure, thereby increasing both the current and drainage volume. Furthermore, an optimized treatment scheme combining flocculation, preloading, and electroosmosis (3.10 h of flocculation and 18.33 h of preloading) produced optimized dewatering results. This study presents a potentially effective solution for mitigating the environmental impact of bentonite slurries.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21857,"journal":{"name":"Soils and Foundations","volume":"65 6","pages":"Article 101701"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145269634","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Geostatistical-learning-based site-optimum 3D integration of borehole logs and geophysical data in urban area in South Korea","authors":"Joung-Woo Han ,&nbsp;Mingi Kim ,&nbsp;Han-Saem Kim ,&nbsp;Taek-Kyu Chung ,&nbsp;Choong-Ki Chung","doi":"10.1016/j.sandf.2025.101684","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sandf.2025.101684","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Success in civil engineering projects fundamentally depends on thoroughly understanding the site-specific subsurface characteristics. Site investigation, a critical process in the early stages of construction and design, serves as the foundation for ensuring the safety and efficiency of structural development and safeguards against potential disasters. However, owing to financial and time constraints, the number of site investigations is often limited, making spatial uncertainty one of the most significant challenges in geotechnical engineering. Geostatistics-based spatial interpolation techniques are widely used to overcome the limitations of spatial variability and information scarcity in geotechnical engineering. Reliable geospatial analysis is essential for identifying site-specific subsurface stratification information. In this study, site investigation data were collected at a subway construction site at which subsidence occurred during tunnel excavation. Borehole data were optimized using outlier removal to maximize reliability, and geophysical data were digitized to create a 3D integrated database with borehole data. Considering the subsurface characteristics, the optimal stratigraphic boundary elevations were determined using seismic wave velocities values, which clarified the optimized stratigraphic boundaries. Using kriging and simulation-based integrated analysis techniques, the subsurface stratigraphic information was predicted in 3D, and the cross-sectional and longitudinal geotechnical profiles confirmed that the layers with the least deviation effectively reflect the actual strata, which is consistent with the evaluation results, through a learning process that seeks the optimal method and parameters that produce the least prediction residuals. This approach highlights the importance of integrating advanced geostatistical-learning-based integration and geotechnical engineering practices to improve the accuracy and reliability of subsurface evaluations, thereby ensuring safer and more efficient construction.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21857,"journal":{"name":"Soils and Foundations","volume":"65 6","pages":"Article 101684"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145222776","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Investigation on the lateral performance of new piles in sand sites containing existing piles and shallow cement-treated backfill","authors":"Hongjiang Li ,&nbsp;Tianyuan Wu ,&nbsp;Songyu Liu ,&nbsp;Liyuan Tong ,&nbsp;Shuji Tamura ,&nbsp;Wenyuan Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.sandf.2025.101686","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sandf.2025.101686","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Piles are extensively utilized as the foundation to support buildings, bridges, and other superstructures subjected to lateral loads. The lateral load-bearing performance of newly installed piles in sites with existing piles is inevitably influenced by the presence of existing piles due to the interactions between the new pile, soil, and existing piles. Conversely, the lateral capacity of new piles can be significantly enhanced by effectively regulating these interactions. This study quantified the effect of shallow cement improvement on laterally loaded new piles in sand sites containing existing piles and shallow cement-treated backfill for different variables. A numerical model of new pile-soil-existing pile interactions under lateral loads was initially validated against 40 g centrifuge tests in density sand. Subsequent analyses incorporating shallow cement-treated backfill explored the lateral bearing mechanism of new piles and the corresponding response of existing piles. The findings indicate that cement-treated backfill can substantially enhance the lateral capacity of new piles for ultimate limit state (ULS) design limit by two times, compared with the condition without cement-treated backfill. With the increase of the depth of the new pile embedded in the cap, the thickness and modulus of the cement-treated backfill, the lateral capacity of the new pile increases. However, the depth of the existing pile embedded in the backfill has a limited influence on new pile capacity. Finally, a practical method for assessing lateral new pile capacities in sand sites containing existing piles and shallow cement-treated backfill was developed, demonstrating considerable advantages in designing laterally loaded new piles considering shallow cement improvement.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21857,"journal":{"name":"Soils and Foundations","volume":"65 6","pages":"Article 101686"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145108725","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Microscopic investigation into density dependence of water retention characteristics of sand during drying-wetting process","authors":"Ryunosuke Kido ,&nbsp;Yosuke Higo ,&nbsp;Shizuka Eshiro","doi":"10.1016/j.sandf.2025.101704","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sandf.2025.101704","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The density dependence of the water retention characteristics of sand during the drying-wetting process was microscopically investigated. Water retention tests on both loose sand and dense sand were conducted with X-ray micro computed tomography (CT). The frequency distributions of the local porosity and degree of saturation within each sand specimen, the principal curvature of the air–water interface, and the volume distribution of pore water were analyzed using image processing techniques. The microscopic observations revealed that the density dependence of the water retention characteristics during the drying-wetting process primarily lies in the morphology of the pore water, the number of pore water clusters, and the volume distributions of the pore water clusters. The types of distributions of the local degrees of saturation and the volume distributions of the pore water clusters within the sands remained similar despite the drying-wetting history, and were found to be independent of the sand density. The present study confirmed the essential factors of the density dependence of the water retention characteristics which have been conceptually interpreted. The findings will surely contribute to the development of a theoretical model for water retention curves considering the porosity and particle size distribution<!--> <!-->based on an explicit mechanism, offering an alternative to conventional models (e.g., the van Genuchten model) that empirically consider the effects of porosity on water retention curves.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21857,"journal":{"name":"Soils and Foundations","volume":"65 6","pages":"Article 101704"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145474270","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}