GIAN course: Mechanics of unsaturated soils (December 2019)

Assignment-2 b

Sruthi R Krishnan
Ph. D Scholar,
IIT Madras
1. What is the maximum height that trees can grow? Explain this growth of height
using the concepts of suction that you have learned.
The maximum height that tress grow depend on the size of capillary pores in wood.
Tree trunks are made up of millions of tiny tubes called xylem. The water in the tube
is subjected to gravity force and capillary suction. By analysing the interplay between
these forces a team of biologist led by George Koch calculated the theoretical
maximum height of tree as between 122 and 130m. it is the point at which the
opposing forces balance out. Total resistance to water flow in trees varies with the
path length and conductivity of wood. Hydraulic resistance increase as trees grow
taller because water must travel a longer path. To move water through a path of higher
resistance a higher suction is required. At higher suction cavitation may occur and air
bubbles are likely to be formed. To prevent cavitation leaf somata in taller trees will
close earlier in the day or earlier in the draught cycle.
2. How is the property of relative humidity used in the estimation of soil suction?
The concentration of water vapour in air is expressed as relative humidity. The partial
pressure of water vapour in air defines the degree to which air is saturated with water
vapour at a particular temperature. The degree of saturation with respect to water
vapour is referred to as relative humidity. The reference state for quantifying
components of suction is the vapour pressure above a flat surface of pure water. The
relative vapour pressure in air immediately above water is called relative humidity.
Soil suction approaches zero when relative humidity is 100%. A relative humidity
value less than 100 in soil indicates the presence of soil suction. Soil suction that can
be quantified in terms of relative humidity immediately adjacent to water surface is
called total suction.
The partial pressure of vapour above the curved surface is less than that in a flat
surface. Relative humidity in a soil will decrease due to the presence of meniscus
produced by capillarity. Radius of curvature is inversely proportional to matric
suction. Relative humidity decreases with decrease in radius of curvature. Matric
suction contributes to a reduction in relative humidity. The water vapour pressure
over a flat surface of solvent is less than the vapour pressure over a flat surface of
pure water. Relative humidity decreases with increasing dissolved salts. The decrease
in relative humidity due to presence of dissolved salts is called osmotic suction.
Psychrometers are used to measure the total suction of a soil by measuring the relative
humidity in the air phase of the soil pores or on the region near to the soil.
3. Differentiate clearly the difference between total suction, matric suction and
osmotic suction. Clearly explain with one example where each suction value is
useful in geotechnical or geoenvironmental engineering practice.
Matric suction is the equivalent suction derived from the measurement of partial
pressure of water vapour in equilibrium with soil water relative partial pressure of a
solution identical in composition with soil water. Matric suction is associated with
capillary phenomenon arising from the surface tension of water. Matric suction is
closely related to surrounding environment and changes with time due to
environmental conditions.
Osmotic suction is the equivalent suction derived from the measurement of partial
pressure of water vapour in equilibrium with a solution identical in composition with
soil water relative to the partial pressure of water vapour in equilibrium with pure free
water. Osmotic pressure is related to the salt content of soil pore water.
Total suction is the equivalent suction derived from the measurement of partial
pressure of water vapour in equilibrium with soil water relative to the partial pressure
of water vapour in equilibrium with the pure free water. The total suction correspond
to free energy of the soil-water while matric suction and osmotic suctions are the
components of free energy.
Matric suction is a soil parameter which influences the behaviour of unsaturated soils
in both terms of shear strength and permeability. It is a necessary aspect to know the
variation of matric suction in unsaturated soil zone for solving geotechnical issues like
unsaturated soil slopes stability or bearing capacity for unsaturated foundation
ground.
Change in osmotic suction is less significant compared to changes in matric suction.
The effect of osmotic suction will become significant where chemical contamination
of soil alters the salt content of pore fluid or when the construction occurs in saline
soil.
4. Name each of the following device, discuss the principle used, component of suction
and range of suction they can measure. Also discuss the advantages and limitations
of the device. Comment whether they are useful for measuring suction in field or
lab .
Device Principle used Suction Range (kPa) Remarks
component
measured

a)Filter paper Soil suction is Total suction 0-106  Can measure

matric suction
calculated by
if in good
measuring the contact with
soil.
gravimetric
 Advantage of
water content at the method is
equilibrium. its simplicity,
economy and
This is related reasonable
to soil suction accuracy

through a
predetermined
calibration
curve.

b)Dewpoint Relative Total suction Effective in the  Easy to use

and analysis is
potentiometer humidity of air range of 0-
quick.
or water above the 300000  Disadvantages:
potential meter sample in a  At high water
potentials,
sealed chamber temperature
is measured. differences
between
Relative saturated
humidity is vapour
pressures and
measured using vapour
the chilled pressure inside
sample
mirror method. chamber
becomes
negligibly
small.
 It cannot be
used in field
c)Tensiometer It consists of a Matric suction 0-90  Cavitation and
air diffusion
tube with a with pore-air
through
porous ceramic pressure ceramic plate
if test is
 cup connected atmospheric continued for
longer
to a pressure-
duration
measuring  Osmotic
component
device through a
cannot be
small bore tube. measured
since salts are
Deaired water is
free to move
filled in the tube through the
porous cup
and cup and
inserted into a
precored hole
with good
contact
maintained with
soil. Once
equilibrium is
achieved
between soil
and measuring
system the
water in
tensiometer will
have the same
negative
pressure as the
pore-water in
soil.

d)Axis Technique Matric suction 0-1500  Good contact

needs to be
translation translates the
ensured
technique reference origin between the
soil and high
from the
air entry disc.
standard  Leakage of
atmospheric water is a
dangerous
pressure to the problem.
 final air  Air bubble
formation by
pressure in the
air diffused
chamber through the
ceramic disks.
e)Thermal Thermal Matric suction 0-approx 400  Advantage of
thermal
conductivity conductivity of
conductivity
sensor porous block is sensor are its
simplicity and
calibrated with
quick
respect to equilibration
time.
applied matric
 Saturated
suction. The sensor comes
sensor, placed to equilibrium
faster than an
in soil, is then initially dry
used to measure sensor

the matric
suction by
allowing it to
come to
equilibrium
with the stress
state of the pore
water.

5. How is axis translation technique used for measuring matric suction in

unsaturated soils specimens with some line sketches?
In a null type pressure plate, when the chamber air pressure is zero, water is imbibed
by the unsaturated specimen from the water column. This is due to the inherent
suction in specimen. The tension in water column was found to reduce with increase
in positive air pressure in the chamber. When the positive air pressure equals the
matric suction inside the specimen, equilibrium was achieved and water column was
found to be under no pressure. This technique simply translates the origin of reference
for pore water pressure from standard atmospheric conditions to final air pressure in
thechamber.