Research on Test of Soil-Water Characteristic Curve Model of Unsaturated Loess and Application in Engineering

Soil-water characteristic curve (SWCC) is a very important curve on reflecting mechanics characteristics of unsaturated soil, and plays an important role in researching the hydraulic and mechanical properties of unsaturated soil. To study the soil-water characteristic curve of loess, the value of air-entry suction and residual saturation of undisturbed and remoulded loess were defined based on Van Genuchten model of unsaturated soil, and the tests of soil-water characteristic curve about unsaturated loess were carried out. The variation of soil-water characteristic curve of unsaturated loess and the differences between undisturbed and remoulded loess were analyzed within the control range of suction, and the Van Genuchten model parameters and expressions were received about undisturbed and remoulded loess. The curves of Van Genuchten model about undisturbed and remoulded loess were acquired based on Van Genuchten model expression. At the same time, the results were used to calculate the seepage field of loess slope and the variation of stability before or after rainfall were acquired based on ABAQUS and strength reduction method.