Water retention curves of intact and re-compacted loess at different net stresses

Abstract

Water retention curves (WRC) of loess were investigated through conducting two series of tests on intact and re-compacted specimens. Modified pressure plate extractors were used to control net stress and matric suction. Compared to the re-compacted loess, higher rates of adsorption and desorption as well as larger area of hysteresis loop were observed for intact loess. The effect of net stress on WRC seems to be more pronounced for re-compacted loess than intact one. The higher the net stress, the lower the rate of adsorption, and desorption, and the area of hysteresis loop for re-compacted loess. This is due to the reduction in void ratio as a result of net stress. Drying-induced shrinkage is significant for the re-compacted loess, but not for the intact one. Furthermore, shrinkage increases with net stress.