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Effects of Freeze–Thaw and Dry–Wet Cycles on the Collapsibility of the Ili Loess with Variable Initial Moisture Contents

Author

Listed:
  • Lilong Cheng

    (School of Geology and Mining Engineering, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, China)

  • Zizhao Zhang

    (School of Geology and Mining Engineering, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, China
    State Key Laboratory for Geomechanics and Deep Underground Engineering, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, China)

  • Chenxin Liu

    (School of Geology and Mining Engineering, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, China)

  • Yongliang Zhang

    (School of Geology and Mining Engineering, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, China)

  • Qianli Lv

    (School of Resources and Earth Sciences, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China)

  • Yanyang Zhang

    (School of Geology and Mining Engineering, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, China)

  • Kai Chen

    (School of Geology and Mining Engineering, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, China
    State Key Laboratory for Geomechanics and Deep Underground Engineering, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, China)

  • Guangming Shi

    (School of Geology and Mining Engineering, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, China)

  • Junpeng Huang

    (School of Geology and Mining Engineering, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, China)

Abstract

Exposed to seasonal climate changes, the loess in the Ili region of Xinjiang, which has variable engineering properties, frequently undergoes freezing–thawing (F-T) and wetting–drying (W-D) cycles. In the present research, a series of uniaxial compression tests were conducted to investigate the collapsibility characteristics of the representative loess slope in the Ili region. In parallel, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tests were conducted. The test results obtained from the research indicated that both F-T cycles and W-D cycles exacerbate the deterioration of the loess, with the most severe effects observed after 6–10 cycles. Under the combined physical cycles, the microstructure of the loess progressively evolves from the relatively aggregated state to the dispersed one. Meanwhile, the porosity of the loess exhibited an initial increase with the number of W-D cycles, followed by an obvious decrease. Note that the pattern of the loess experiences fluctuation, which was achieved at the given point with the increased number of F-T cycles. It is suggested that the variability in loess wetting collapse is attributed to the irreversible alteration in the microstructure attributed to the combined cycles. The main reasons for the occurrence of loess collapse are the frost heaving force and the swelling–shrinking action. The impacts of W-D and F-T cycles on the loess obtained from this research can make a contribution to the in-depth understanding about loess collapse in the Ili valley.

Suggested Citation

  • Lilong Cheng & Zizhao Zhang & Chenxin Liu & Yongliang Zhang & Qianli Lv & Yanyang Zhang & Kai Chen & Guangming Shi & Junpeng Huang, 2024. "Effects of Freeze–Thaw and Dry–Wet Cycles on the Collapsibility of the Ili Loess with Variable Initial Moisture Contents," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-21, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:13:y:2024:i:11:p:1931-:d:1522554
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