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Intrinsic Mechanisms of Differences in Wetting-Induced Deformation of Soils on Chinese Loess Plateau: Insights into Land Stability and Sustainable Management

Author

Listed:
  • Qiqi Liu

    (State Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
    Department of Geology, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
    Xi’an Key Laboratory of Prevention of Loess Dynamic Disaster and Restoration of Environment, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China)

  • Wanli Xie

    (State Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
    Department of Geology, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
    Xi’an Key Laboratory of Prevention of Loess Dynamic Disaster and Restoration of Environment, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China)

  • Hui Yang

    (State Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
    Department of Geology, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
    Xi’an Key Laboratory of Prevention of Loess Dynamic Disaster and Restoration of Environment, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China)

  • Kangze Yuan

    (State Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
    Department of Geology, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
    Xi’an Key Laboratory of Prevention of Loess Dynamic Disaster and Restoration of Environment, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China)

  • Siyu Zhang

    (State Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
    Department of Geology, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
    Xi’an Key Laboratory of Prevention of Loess Dynamic Disaster and Restoration of Environment, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China)

  • Xinyu Li

    (State Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
    Department of Geology, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
    Xi’an Key Laboratory of Prevention of Loess Dynamic Disaster and Restoration of Environment, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China)

  • Pengxin Qu

    (State Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
    Department of Geology, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
    Xi’an Key Laboratory of Prevention of Loess Dynamic Disaster and Restoration of Environment, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China)

  • Zhiyi Wu

    (State Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
    Department of Geology, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
    Xi’an Key Laboratory of Prevention of Loess Dynamic Disaster and Restoration of Environment, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China)

  • Jiahao Zhou

    (State Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
    Department of Geology, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
    Xi’an Key Laboratory of Prevention of Loess Dynamic Disaster and Restoration of Environment, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China)

  • Xuanyu Gao

    (State Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
    Department of Geology, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
    Xi’an Key Laboratory of Prevention of Loess Dynamic Disaster and Restoration of Environment, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China)

Abstract

Wetting-induced soil deformation significantly impacts land stability and management on the Chinese Loess Plateau. This study analyzed silt soils from the Late Pleistocene (1 m depth) and Middle Pleistocene (25 m depth) to investigate compression and collapsible deformation during wetting. The compression in both soils progressed through three stages: slow deformation under low pressure, accelerated deformation under moderate pressure, and decelerated deformation under high pressure. Wetting intensified the compression in the 1 m sample but reduced it in the 25 m sample, with the deformation becoming more sensitive to the initial water content under higher pressures. Collapse tests showed contrasting behaviors: the 1 m sample exhibited collapsibility, while the 25 m sample displayed expansiveness (a negative collapsibility coefficient). Microstructural analysis revealed that the 1 m sample with abundant macropores and overhead structures had a lower structural stability than the 25 sample with more stable, rounded micropores. The wetting-induced deformation was governed by the balance between clay mineral expansion and structural collapse, with collapsibility prevailing when collapse dominated and expansiveness prevailing when expansion was predominant. These findings provide valuable insights into soil–water interactions and support improved land use and management strategies in the loess region.

Suggested Citation

  • Qiqi Liu & Wanli Xie & Hui Yang & Kangze Yuan & Siyu Zhang & Xinyu Li & Pengxin Qu & Zhiyi Wu & Jiahao Zhou & Xuanyu Gao, 2025. "Intrinsic Mechanisms of Differences in Wetting-Induced Deformation of Soils on Chinese Loess Plateau: Insights into Land Stability and Sustainable Management," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-23, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:2:p:312-:d:1582753
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hong Zheng & Xi-An Li & Ya-Hong Deng & Zhi-Tao Hao & Feng Wen, 2023. "Study on the Influence of Initial State on Loess Erosion Characteristics and Microscopic Mechanism," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-13, March.
    2. Feng Qiao & Chaoyu Chang & Jingshan Bo & Liang Wang & Jing Wang, 2023. "Study on the Dynamic Characteristics of Loess," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-18, March.
    3. Lin Li & Jiading Wang & Qi Gu & Dengfei Zhang, 2024. "Effects of Paleosol on the Collapsibility of Loess Sites under Immersion Test Conditions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-18, January.
    4. Xiao Zhang & Yutao Zuo & Tiejun Wang & Qiong Han, 2024. "Salinity Effects on Soil Structure and Hydraulic Properties: Implications for Pedotransfer Functions in Coastal Areas," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-16, December.
    5. Zhongqian Zhang & Huanli Pan & Yaqun Liu & Shuangqing Sheng, 2024. "Ecosystem Services’ Response to Land Use Intensity: A Case Study of the Hilly and Gully Region in China’s Loess Plateau," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-25, November.
    6. Peng Luo & Min Ma, 2024. "Failure Mechanisms and Protection Measures for Expansive Soil Slopes: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-31, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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