A method for calculating wetting collapse potential of loess based on basic physical indices

Loess deposits can undergo substantial deformation upon wetting, posing risks to infrastructure in loess-covered regions. Here, we investigate the relationships among basic physical properties, yield stress, compression behavior, and wetting collapse of sandy, silty, and clayey loess from three regions of the Chinese loess plateau. Odometer tests were conducted under different initial water contents, and a comprehensive physical index integrating water content, Atterberg limits, and dry density was established to characterize the mechanical state of loess. Yield stress and wetting-collapse initiation pressure decrease systematically with this index, while compression curves from different regions and water contents converge after normalization by yield stress and initial void ratio. These relationships enable wetting collapse potential to be calculated from routine physical properties and applied stress. The framework links readily measurable soil properties with deformation behavior, providing an efficient approach for assessing loess collapse susceptibility and supporting engineering evaluation of loess ground.