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Microscopic Mechanisms and Evolution Models of Crack Development in an Expansive Soil under Conditions of Rainfall Evaporation Cycles

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  • Liwei Han

    (School of Water Conservancy, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou 450045, China
    Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation and Treatment of Henan Province, Zhengzhou 450046, China)

  • Wenhui Ji

    (School of Water Conservancy, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou 450045, China)

  • Liyuan Ma

    (School of Water Conservancy, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou 450045, China)

  • Ruibin Guo

    (School of Water Conservancy, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou 450045, China)

  • Yifan Zhang

    (School of Water Conservancy, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou 450045, China)

  • Hongyang Zhang

    (School of Water Conservancy, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou 450045, China)

Abstract

Expansive soil is a special soil type that undergoes volume expansion during hygroscopicity and volume contraction during dehumidification. In this study, the effects of rainfall–evaporation cycles on the microscopic pores and cracks of expansive soils under different rainfall intensities were analyzed by simulating light rainfall, medium rainfall, and high-temperature drought environments using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technology and image processing methods. The results showed that the micropores and small medium pores of the expanded soil gradually evolved into macropores during the cycling process, especially under stronger rainfall conditions. In addition, as the number of cycles increased, the expanded soil showed irrecoverable pore changes, which ultimately led to the scattering damage of the soil. By processing the surface crack images of expansive soils, the process of crack development was categorized into four stages, and it was found that the evaporation cycle of medium rainfall intensity caused the main cracks of expansive soils to develop more rapidly. A quantitative relationship model between the average crack width and the number of cycles as well as porosity was constructed, and the regression coefficient of determination R 2 reached 0.98, 0.96, and 0.84, respectively. This study simulates the effects of real rainfall conditions on expansive soils and investigates the mechanism and evolution of cracks in expansive soils, which is of great theoretical and practical significance.

Suggested Citation

  • Liwei Han & Wenhui Ji & Liyuan Ma & Ruibin Guo & Yifan Zhang & Hongyang Zhang, 2024. "Microscopic Mechanisms and Evolution Models of Crack Development in an Expansive Soil under Conditions of Rainfall Evaporation Cycles," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-18, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:17:p:7617-:d:1469963
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xuanyi Chen & Xiaofei Jing & Xiaoshuang Li & Junji Chen & Qiang Ma & Xiaohua Liu, 2023. "Slope Crack Propagation Law and Numerical Simulation of Expansive Soil under Wetting–Drying Cycles," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-19, March.
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