Effect of Water Sensitivity on Microstructure Characteristics and Deformation Mechanism of Q3 Loess

Abstract

Microstructure characteristic of loess is an effective way to study the physical and mechanical characteristic of soil under different conditions. Water content in sample of Q3 loess is about 25%, the particle structure of the loess belonged to the granular structure type. CT scanning tests were performed on the sample before and after wetting. The changes of total number of pores, the maximum pore volume and the position of the centroid of pore of the sample were analyzed before and after wetting. The results showed that the soluble salts of loess have been dissolved after wetting. The volume of the pores of loess have been changed. Some increased, some decreased and the others closed in volume. The change of the number of pores indicated that the sample formed obvious saturated zone, transition zone, conduction zone and humid zones after wetting. These results revealed the characteristic and deformation mechanism of microstructure for Q3 loess.