Paper Title:

Determination of the Shear Strength of Unsaturated Loess Based on the Fractal Model Theory of Unsaturated Soils

Periodical Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volumes 170 - 173)
Main Theme Progress in Civil Engineering
Edited by Mingjin Chu, Xiangran Li, Jingzhou Lu, Xingmin Hou and Xiaogang Wang
Pages 25-28
DOI 10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.170-173.25
Citation Jing Yu Chen et al., 2012, Applied Mechanics and Materials, 170-173, 25
Online since May, 2012
Authors Jing Yu Chen, Ying Hai
Keywords Fractal Theory Model of Soil Pores, Shear Strength, Soil-Water Characteristic Curve (SWCC), Unsaturated Loess
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Abstract

The shear strength value of unsaturated loess is required in the design in geotechnical engineering in the North and the North West of China. In 2004, a new method, that is the fractal model theory, was proposed for determining the shear strength of unsaturated soil. Based upon the fractal model theory, the surface fractal dimension DS and the air entry value of two unsaturated loess samples are obtained from their soil-water characteristic curve (SWCC), the shear strength contribution due to matric suction of the two loess samples is determined, a new approach for determination of the shear strength of unsaturated loess with its SWCC is presented. By comparing results of this paper with those of the laboratory tests, the relationship between the SWCC and the shear strength of unsaturated loess is discussed and the validity of the fractal model theory for unsaturated loess is explained.