%0 Journal Article
%A HU  Chang-ming
%A HU  Ting-ting
%A ZHU  Wu-wei
%A YUAN  Yi-li
%A YANG  Xiao
%A LIU  Ming-liang
%A HOU  Xu-hui
%T Evolution Characteristics of Cracks in Compacted Loess under Drying-Wetting Cycles
%D 2024
%R 10.11988/ckyyb.20230394
%J Journal of Yangtze River Scientific Research Institute
%P 96-103
%V 41
%N 8
%X <p id="p00010">To investigate the evolution of fractures in compacted loess under drying-wetting cycles, we conducted crack tests by varying the dry density and drying-wetting path using a self-developed device, and captured the surface crack patterns of soil samples.Furthermore, we quantitatively analyzed the soil cracks using PCAS software for morphological parameters and obtained strain fields via DIC (Digital Image Correlation) method. Our findings revealed three distinct stages in the development of compacted loess cracks with increasing drying-wetting cycles: initial slow growth, subsequent rapid expansion, and stabilization. Crack development intensity was influenced by both dry density and drying-wetting cycle paths. Higher dry densities hindered crack propagation, while larger amplitude of drying-wetting and lower moisture thresholds cultivated crack development. Additionally, the first principal strain along the crack’s central line exhibited a linear decrease with distance from the crack initiation point, indicating diminishing soil compression effects near the crack tip and adjacent blocks. These results provide insights into understanding crack evolution in compacted loess.</p>
%U http://ckyyb.crsri.cn/EN/10.11988/ckyyb.20230394