Destructuration of saturated natural loess: from experiments to constitutive modelling

Fu, Y., Gao, Z. , Hong, Y., Li, T. and Garg, A. (2021) Destructuration of saturated natural loess: from experiments to constitutive modelling. International Journal of Damage Mechanics, 30(4), pp. 575-594. (doi: 10.1177/1056789520939300)

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Abstract

It has been well recognized that unsaturated natural loess shows significant volume contraction upon wetting due to its metastable internal structure. But the structural effect on stress-strain relationship of saturated natural (undisturbed) loess is much less explored. Few attempts have been made in proposing a constitutive model for saturated natural loess. This study presents both laboratory tests and constitutive modelling of a saturated natural loess, with special focus on the structural effect and evolution of structure damage during loading. Oedometer and drained triaxial compression tests have been carried out on undisturbed and remolded saturated loess samples. It is found that the natural soil structure has dramatic influence on mechanical behavior of loess, including the compressibility, dilatancy and shear strength. Destructuration, which is the damage of soil structure with deformation, is observed in both oedometer and triaxial tests. A constitutive model is proposed for saturated loess based on the experimental observations. The model is established within the theoretical framework of subloading and superloading surface concepts. Destructuration of loess is assumed to be affected by both plastic volumetric and shear strain. A new method for determining the initial degree of structure is proposed. The model can reasonably predict the compression and shear behavior of both undisturbed and remolded saturated loess.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:This work was financially supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (41790442 and 5177922) and Qianjiang Talent Plan (QJD1602028).
Keywords:Destructuration, saturated clayey loess, critical state, constitutive model, drained triaxial compression tests.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Gao, Dr Zhiwei
Authors: Fu, Y., Gao, Z., Hong, Y., Li, T., and Garg, A.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Infrastructure and Environment
Journal Name:International Journal of Damage Mechanics
Publisher:SAGE Publications
ISSN:1056-7895
ISSN (Online):1530-7921
Published Online:12 July 2020
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2020 The Authors
First Published:First published in International Journal of Damage Mechanics 30(4): 575-594
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

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