A Study on Suction-rainfall Response of a Cut Slope in Unsaturated Residual Soil Using a Field Rain Simulator

Abstract

This research describes the design and construction of an artificial rain simulator system and the results obtained with regards to suction-rainfall response of a cut slope in unsaturated residual soil of weathered sandstone of various weathering grades. From the field measurements, the shallow tensiometers are found to record an immediate initial increase in matric suction within the first 20 min of the simulated rain before a gradual drop in suction takes place. However no such initial spikes in suction readings were recorded by the deeper tensiometers. With constant rainfall for the next 130 min, a clear drop in soil suction was observed in all cases illustrating the effect of net infiltration process. Positive pore water pressure was even recorded by some of the deeper tensiometers. The suction recorded by the shallow tensiometers was always higher than those of the deeper tensiometers, indicating a reduction in suction with depth below the ground surface. In term of weathering grades, residual soil of weathered sandstone of weathering grade III has the highest infiltration rate indicating the more porous nature of this soil material. Like wise there is a steeper drop in suction during the rain at the said location.