Determination of soil water characteristic curve and permeability equation of unsaturated soils using modified triaxial apparatus

변형된 삼축시험장치를 이용한 불포화토의 함수특성곡선과 투수계수방정식의 결정

Studying unsaturated soil mechanics, determination of soil water characteristic curve and permeability equation is an essential factor but it is not easy. In this research a new testing apparatus was developed to determine soil water characteristic curve and permeability equation. The testing to get saturated permeability coefficients and soil water characteristic curves for two soils was performed by using the developed testing apparatus. First, a saturated permeability testing was performed and then the testing to get soil water characteristic curve of a drying process was performed. Next, the testing to get soil water characteristic curve of a wetting process was performed. Testing results showed hysteresis phenomena between soil water characteristic curve of a drying process and soil water characteristic curve of a wetting process. The permeability equations were determined by a theoretical method where a saturated permeability coefficient and a soil water characteristic curve were used.