Journal Published Online: 12 July 2006
Volume 30, Issue 2

Instrumentation of an Unsaturated Expansive Soil Slope

CODEN: GTJODJ

Abstract

To understand the complex soil-water interaction in an unsaturated expansive soil slope subjected to rainfall infiltration, a comprehensive instrumentation and monitoring program was carried out on an 11-m high cut slope in Hubei of China. The instrumentation included jet-filled tensiometers, thermal conductivity suction sensors, moisture probes, earth pressure cells, inclinometers, vertical movement points, artificial rainfall simulator, a tipping bucket rain gage, a vee-notch flow meter, and an evaporimeter. The technique and experience associated with each of the instrumentations are presented in this paper with an emphasis on the difference from the instrumentation in nonexpansive soils. In particular, a deliberate sealing scheme was adopted to prevent the potential bypass water flow through the shallow cracks into the installation holes for the suction sensors and the moisture probes. All the instruments worked well throughout the two month monitoring period, during which two artificial rainfall events were created. The recorded responses in pore-water pressure, water content, horizontal stress, and soil deformation were reasonably consistent with one another.

Author Information

Zhan, TLT
Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
Ng, CWW
Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Hong Kong
Fredlund, DG
University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
Pages: 11
Price: $25.00
Related
Reprints and Permissions
Reprints and copyright permissions can be requested through the
Copyright Clearance Center
Details
Stock #: GTJ12704
ISSN: 0149-6115
DOI: 10.1520/GTJ12704