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Unsat4 PDF
Unsat4 PDF
Total Suction
=
RT
ln ( u v
)
v
w0 v u v0
= 135022 ln ( u v )
uv 0
where is in kPa.
= (ua - uw) +
UNSAT4 - 1
Matric Suction
Osmotic Suction
UNSAT4 - 2
The following figure can be used to illustrate osmotic suction.
Excess Gas
Pa Pressure
H
P Semi-permeable Pa
Membrane
Soil Pure
Solution H2O
a) b)
UNSAT4 - 3
Capillary Model
Ts
Rs
2r hc
2 r Ts cos = r2 hc w g
2Ts 2Ts
h c
=
w g Rs
=
w g r
UNSAT4 - 4
The matric suction pressure can then be given as
2Ts 2Ts
(ua u w) = w g hc =
Rs r
UNSAT4 - 5
Total Soil Suction Measurements
Psychrometers
Basic Principle:
Description:
Methodology:
Sensor Capabilities:
Sensor Limitations:
Filter Papers
Basic Principle:
UNSAT4 - 7
Description:
Methodology:
Calibration Procedure:
Sensor Capabilities:
Sensor Limitations:
UNSAT4 - 8
Matric Suction Measurements
2Ts
(u a u w) = = Air entr y val ue.
Rs
As long as the air pressure does not exceed the air entry
value, the surface tension acting at the air-water interface
will prevent air from entering.
Thus the material acts as an interface between the soil air and
water.
The high entry values, materials with small radii, reduce the
permeability of the materials which affects the rate that
water can interact with sensors.
UNSAT4 - 9
Direct Measurement of Matric Suction
Tensiometers
Basic Principle:
Description:
Methodology:
UNSAT4 - 10
Allow the ceramic tip to dry to reduce the water pressure
in the sensor and remove any air bubbles that appear.
Calibration Procedure:
Sensor Capabilities:
UNSAT4 - 11
Sensor Limitations:
UNSAT4 - 12
Pressure Plate Extractor
Basic Principle:
Description:
In a closed system, the air pressure was varied and the soil
water pressure varied by the same magnitude so the
matric suction remained constant. No water flow
occurred. This behavior is used to verify that the axis-
translation technique is valid.
Methodology:
Calibration Procedure:
Sensor Capabilities:
Sensor Limitations:
Moisture Blocks
Basic Principle:
Description:
Methodology:
Calibration Procedure:
Sensor Capabilities:
Sensor Limitations:
UNSAT4 - 16
Measurement of Osmotic Suction
Electrical Conductivity
UNSAT4 - 17
Mechanics of Unsaturated Soils
Homework Assignment