TY - GEN
T1 - Mechanism study and model tests on soft clay cracking
AU - Yan, Shuwang
AU - Guo, Bingchuan
AU - Chu, Jian
AU - Sun, Liqiang
AU - Ji, Yucheng
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - Studying soft clay cracking in evaporation and desiccation conditions is important. Soil cracking can increase the capacity of hydraulic-filled slurry, but may cause damage to roads and dams. The mechanism of soil cracking has long been a concern and has been discussed extensively; however, only a few persuasive theories are found in existing literature. A mechanical model in which the force equilibrium is established is developed in this study based on the concept of contractile skin in soil mechanics for unsaturated soils. With this model, the microcosmic mechanical mechanism of soft soil cracking can be clearly paraphrased. The soil cracks because of the destruction of contractile skins that connect soil particles. Cracks develop along the depth because of the unbalanced tension introduced by the initial cracks. The water content of cracked soil can be very high and can even be in a saturated state.
AB - Studying soft clay cracking in evaporation and desiccation conditions is important. Soil cracking can increase the capacity of hydraulic-filled slurry, but may cause damage to roads and dams. The mechanism of soil cracking has long been a concern and has been discussed extensively; however, only a few persuasive theories are found in existing literature. A mechanical model in which the force equilibrium is established is developed in this study based on the concept of contractile skin in soil mechanics for unsaturated soils. With this model, the microcosmic mechanical mechanism of soft soil cracking can be clearly paraphrased. The soil cracks because of the destruction of contractile skins that connect soil particles. Cracks develop along the depth because of the unbalanced tension introduced by the initial cracks. The water content of cracked soil can be very high and can even be in a saturated state.
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U2 - 10.1061/9780784413388.019
DO - 10.1061/9780784413388.019
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:84903306893
SN - 9780784413388
T3 - Geotechnical Special Publication
SP - 184
EP - 193
BT - Soil Behavior and Geomechanics - Selected Papers from the Proceedings of the 2014 GeoShanghai International Congress
PB - American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
T2 - 2014 GeoShanghai International Congress: Soil Behavior and Geomechanics
Y2 - 26 May 2014 through 28 May 2014
ER -