Temperature influence on matric suction in unsaturated soils: experimental insights

Area of Science:

• Geotechnical Engineering
• Soil Physics
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Matric suction in unsaturated soils is influenced by temperature.
• Understanding this relationship is crucial for soil behavior analysis.
• Previous research has explored temperature effects, but further investigation is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the influence of temperature and moisture content on the temperature dependence of matric suction in loess and sand soils.
• To evaluate the performance of three data-fitting models (Brooks-Corey, van Genuchten, Fredlund-Xing) for matric suction above 0°C.
• To categorize the variation of matric suction with temperature.

Main Methods:

• Experimental investigation of matric suction in loess and sand soils under varying temperatures and moisture contents.
• Data analysis and fitting using Brooks-Corey, van Genuchten, and Fredlund-Xing models.
• Categorization of matric suction-temperature relationships into distinct sensitivity ranges (RMax, RTS, RTW).

Main Results:

• Matric suction decreases as temperature increases.
• Temperature sensitivity of matric suction varies with moisture content, showing distinct ranges (RMax, RTS, RTW).
• Loess soils exhibit greater temperature sensitivity than sand soils; van Genuchten model shows best fit above 0°C.

Conclusions:

• Temperature is a critical factor influencing matric suction in unsaturated soils.
• Moisture content modulates the temperature sensitivity of matric suction.
• The van Genuchten model provides a reliable fit for matric suction-temperature relationships above 0°C.