The water sensitivity of loess refers to the reduction in its physical and mechanical properties when subjected to humidification. The water sensitivity of loess is an important factor affecting the occurrence of water-induced disasters in loess area, and it also determines the resistance ability of loess geological region to disasters, which has great research value. Based on the yield stress of loess, consolidation test and triaxial compression test were used to investigate the variation of yield stress in the process of loess humidification. The mechanical response of loess in the process of humidification was analyzed by the yield stress ratio, and the causes of water sensitivity of loess were explained from the mechanical mechanism. Then, the concept of quantification of water sensitivity was introduced. Based on the changes of mechanical properties of unsaturated and saturated loess, the quantitative index of water sensitivity of relevant loess was proposed and its influencing factors and changing exchange rate were studied. Finally, the empirical formula of Moell-Coulomb strength criterion for water-sensitive loess was presented, which is convenient for the subsequent research and engineering application of water-sensitive loess.
LIU Jin-wen, OU Xiao, ZHANG Yong-jun, REN Peng-yu, CONG Kai, BI Yuan-hong, LI Yan-an.
Mechanical Mechanism and Quantitative Analysis of Water Sensitivity of Loess[J].
Science Technology and Engineering, 2026, 26(5): 2104-2112 DOI:10.12404/j.issn.1671-1815.2501856
XieDingyi. Some new trends in the study of loess mechanics in China[J]. Chinese Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, 2001(1): 3-13.
[3]
DerbyshireE, DijkstraT A, SmalleyI J, et al. Failure mechanisms in loess and the effects of moisture content changes on remoulded strength[J]. Quaternary International, 1994, 24: 5-15.
ZhangJunzheng, WangJian, HaoYanzhou, et al. Deformation characteristics of undisturbed loess under circulating load humidifying study[J]. Journal of Underground Space and Engineering, 2024, 20(6): 1867-1876, 1912.
WangWei, LuoYasheng, LiHaodong. Study on structure and water sensitivity of unsaturated loess under plane strain[J]. Yangtze River, 2014, 45(4): 85-88, 93.
[12]
MaF L, YangJ, BaiX H. Water sensitivity and microstructure of compacted loess[J]. Transportation Geotechinics, 2017, 11: 41-56.
[13]
冷艳秋. 黄土水敏特性及其灾变机制研究[D]. 西安: 长安大学, 2018.
[14]
LengYanqiu. Study on water sensitive characteristics and disaster mechanism of loess[D]. Xi’an: Chang’an University, 2018.
[15]
KondnerR L. Closure to “hyperbolic stress-strain response: cohesive soils”[J]. Journal of the Soil Mechanics and Foundations Division, 1964, 90(1): 289-324.
MiaoShuaisheng, ZhuYanbo, JuZhitong, et al. Study on the influence of initial matric suction on water sensitivity characteristics of undisturbed loess[J]. Henan Science, 2019, 37(11): 1841-1847.
ChenBao, LiuChaofan, DengRongsheng, et al. Macro and micro discrete element characteristics of unsaturated loess confined compression and collapsibility tests[J]. Engineering Science and Technology, 2019, 56(5): 212-220.
JinSongli, ZhaoWeiquan, ZhangAijun, et al. Experimental study on the variation law of static earth pressure coefficient during the humidification process of undisturbed loess[J]. Engineering Science and Technology, 2017, 49(5): 63-70.
PengJianbing, WangQiyao, ZhuangJianqi, et al. Dynamic mechanism of landslide hazard formation in Loess Plateau[J]. Chinese Journal of Geomechanics, 2019, 26(5): 714-730.
WangQian, LiuZhaozhao, WangLanmin, et al. Research progress and prospect of seismic treatment technology for loess foundation[J]. Journal of Disaster Prevention and ReductionEngineering, 2021, 41(6): 1366-1381.
HuBo, LiHudi, LuZhifang, et al. Experimental study on water deterioration characteristics of loess strength in Linxia area of Gansu Province[J]. Highway and Automobile Transportation, 2024, 40(6): 128-131.
[28]
刘智璠. 湿陷性黄土增湿变形的试验研究[D]. 兰州: 兰州大学, 2024.
[29]
LiuZhifan. Experimental study on humidification and deformation of collapsible loess[D]. Lanzhou: Lanzhou University, 2024.
BiQingtao, CaoYanhui, ZhaoKun, et al. Experimental study on humidification shear deformation characteristics of loess[J]. Journal of Geotechnical Foundations, 2024, 38(2): 342-345.
[32]
麻建宏. 干湿循环条件下改性黄土渗透性研究[D]. 兰州: 兰州交通大学, 2023.
[33]
MaJianhong. Study on permeability of modified loess under dry and wet cycle[D]. Lanzhou: Lanzhou Jiaotong University, 2023.
FuYingpeng, LiaoHongjian, LüLonglong, et al. Hysteretic model of soil-water characteristic curves considering the influence of contact angle and particle size distribution[J]. Chinese Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, 2022, 44(3): 502-513.
JinJuan. Study on the humidification and deformation characteristics of undisturbed loess under confined conditions[J]. Energy and Environmental Protection, 2019, 43(4): 119-123.
HuHaijun, WangChen, LüTongyang, et al. Model of water infiltration and humidification deformation of remolded loess under one-dimensional loading and experimental verification[J]. Chinese Journal of Rock Mechanics and Engineering, 2019, 41(5): 1020-1030.
JiaJun, ZhangMaoxing, FengLi, et al. Critical characteristics of soil in sliding zone of fluid destructive loess landslide[J]. Northwest Geology, 2019, 52(2): 136-147.
LiuDeren, ZhangZhuanjun, WangXu, et al. Field application parameters of water vapor humidification and reshaping unsaturated loess foundation[J]. Rock and Soil Mechanics, 2023, 44(S1): 73-82.
GaoYing, MaYanxia, YangFenghua, et al. Collapsible deformation and microscopic mechanism of loess in seasonal frozen soil area[J]. Science Technology and Engineering, 2019, 24(34): 14778-14786.
LiuChangwang, ZhiBin, RenYilong. Unloading test and microstructure of collapsible loess[J]. Science Technology and Engineering, 2024, 24(27): 11826-11833.
[48]
WangH, NiW, LiuH, et al. Collapsibility of loess-paleosol sequence as a novel climatic indicator: insights from Luochuan profile[J]. Catena, 2025, 249: 108659.
[49]
QinB, LiA X, WangL, et al. Model interpretation and microscopic characteristics of collapsibility evolution of compacted loess under dry-wet cycles[J]. Catena, 2024, 246: 108413.