Experimental investigations on suffusion characteristics and its mechanical consequences on saturated cohesionless soil

Abstract The characteristics of suffusion and its mechanical consequences on saturated cohesionless soil with different initial fines contents at various stress states are presented in this paper. A series of seepage tests is performed by constant-flow-rate control mode with the measurement of the induced pore water pressure difference between the top and bottom of the tested specimen under the isotropic confining pressure. Back pressure is maintained constant in the tested soil specimen to ensure fully saturated soil condition. Cumulative eroded soil mass is continuously recorded by a consecutive monitoring system. Suffusion induced axial strain and radial strain of the 70mm-in-diameter and 150mm-in-height specimen is recorded during the seepage tests. The gap-graded cohesionless soil, which are assessed as internally unstable by existing evaluation methods, are tested. The mechanism of suffusion is demonstrated by the variation of hydraulic gradient, hydraulic conductivity, percentage of cumulative fines loss and volumetric strain during suffusion. The parametric study on the influence of two variables, effective stress level and initial fines content, on the mechanism of suffusion is elaborated. The mechanical consequences of suffusion are evaluated by conducting monotonic drained compression tests on the eroded specimens. Companion specimens without suffusion are tested for comparison purpose. The test results reveal that with the progress of suffusion, hydraulic gradient would drop and hydraulic conductivity would increase. Large amounts of fines are eroded away and correspondingly, contractive volumetric strain occurs. The larger effective confining pressure would lead to the less extent of suffusion. With larger initial fines content, more fines would be eroded away. The monotonic compression tests indicate that suffusion would cause the reduction of the soil strength at the major stage of drained shearing.