• DOI:10.1139/T08-110
• Corpus ID: 97627923

Characterization of dual-structure pore-size distribution of soil

@article{Li2009CharacterizationOD,
  title={Characterization of dual-structure pore-size distribution of soil},
  author={Xu Li and Li Min Zhang},
  journal={Canadian Geotechnical Journal},
  year={2009},
  volume={46},
  pages={129-141}
}

• Xu Li, L. Zhang
• Published 6 February 2009
• Chemistry
• Canadian Geotechnical Journal

The microporosity structure of soil provides important information in understanding the shear strength, compressibility, water-retention ability, and hydraulic conductivity of soils. It is a soil characteristic that depends on sample preparation method and wetting–drying history. A comprehensive study of the microporosity structure of a lean clay with sand was conducted in this research to investigate variations of the microporosity structure during compaction, saturation, and drying processes. Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe the microporosity structure of soil sample surfaces. Mercury intrusion porosimetry was used to measure the microporosity structure quantitatively by showing the relationship between cumulative pore volumes and pore radius. The experimental results show that a dual-porosity structure (i.e., interaggregate pores and intra-aggregate pores) forms during the compaction process. The interaggregate pores are compressible and the associated volume is closely related to the f...