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Laboratory Modelling Of Matric

Suction Loss Due To Infiltration
Name: W.S.S. Fernando
Supervisor: Prof. S.A.S. Kulathilaka

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

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INTRODUCTION
 Rain induced slope failures are a major problem in Sri
Lanka.
 Most of the slopes in Sri Lanka formed by residual
soils. In dry period, water table is at lower level and
soils are unsaturated to a significant depth.
 Unsaturated soils have negative pore water pressure
that referred as Matric Suction and it enhances shear
strength in soil.
 But in rainy period due to infiltration of water, matric
suction is lost, and soil gets saturated. Then shear
strength will reduced in soil and land slides can be
occur in the slopes.
 Therefore it is very important to analyze about the
infiltration of rainwater into unsaturated soil in slopes.
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PROBLEM STATEMENT

I. Ideally this modeling should be done in a natural slope, but there are various
difficulties such as variability of soils properties and de-saturation of
ordinary tensiometers under high matric suctions.

II. Hence a laboratory model study is used.

III. This is a continuation of an ongoing research and it was extended to different

types of soil with varying permeability.

IV. Also in this study different rainfall patterns were studied.

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METHODOLOGY

Preparing the laboratory model using a barrel.

Performing the numerical analysis using the

SEEP/W software.

Comparing the both obtained results of the matric

suction variation of soil along the depth.
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OBJECTIVES
Tensiometers
01 Infiltration was modelled in SEEP/W software.
Moisture sensor

Found out the basic properties of soil and   Impermeable

02 layer
then laboratory model was done,  
Geotextile

Developed a new instrument to apply the simulated Compacted

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rainfall events.  
Uniform soil

  Valve

Finally, measured the matric suction and moisture content

04 Gravel
variation and compared the results of both approaches.
Structure of The Laboratory
Model
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MATERIAL PROPERTIES

 Permeability Coefficient (Saturated)

1) Constant head method: 2E-04 m/s
2) Falling head method: 1.5E-04 m/s

Average = 1.75E-04 m/s

 Proctor Compaction Test

Observed preferable conditions,
• Blows per layer = 12
• Moisture content = 7%
• Bulk density = 1791 kgm-3
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MATERIAL PROPERTIES (CONTINUES)

 Specific Gravity,
Three density bottles were used to find out
the specific gravity of the sandy soil.

• Average = 2.698

 Particle size distribution,

Both of sieve analysis and the hydrometer
analysis was performed to obtain the
complete particle size distribution curve.
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SENSOR CALIBRATION
 Calibration of Moisture Sensors
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 Calibration of Moisture Sensors (cont…)

Results For Sandy Soil – Voltage Reading vs Volumetric Water Content (X vs Y)

Sensor 26 Sensor 41 Sensor 43

8.00 8.00 8.00
6.00 6.00 6.00
f(x) = − 3.1987048050435 x f(x)4.00
= − 3.202209002051 x + 10.912132613338 f(x) = − 3.3912425053483 x
4.00 4.00
+ 10.775651701423 + 11.349820910498
2.00 2.00 2.00
0.00 0.00 0.00
1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00 3.50 1.4 1.6 1.8 2 2.2 2.4 2.6 2.8 3 3.2 3.4 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00 3.50

Sensor 44 Sensor 53 Sensor 57

8.00 8.00 8.00
6.00 6.00 6.00
f(x) = − 3.1216708997693 x f(x) = − 3.1089633689035 x f(x) = − 3.1911925465441 x
4.00 4.00 + 10.628081834861 4.00
+ 10.716022334282 + 10.853395618713
2.00 2.00 2.00
0.00 0.00 0.00
1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 1.4 1.6 1.8 2 2.2 2.4 2.6 2.8 3 3.2 3.4
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 Calibration of Tensiometers to Measure Positive

Pore Pressures

Tensiometers
0.94

Tensiometer reading
0.92
0.9
0.88
  Sump
0.86
0.84
0.82
0.8
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400
Water
Depth(mm)

Diagram Results
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LABORATORY MODEL
 Prepared the Barrel

Removing the soils Disconnecting the sensors

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 Developed a New Model with fine sand

Place the filter layer Apply geotextile layer Mark the scale
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 Developed a New Model (cont…)

Place and compact Install the first Place more sand

the first sand layer moisture sensor layer and sensors
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 Developing a New Model (cont…)

Compact final layer Apply impermeable Install the tensiometers

with small hammer layer at the wall at each depth
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 Developing a New Instrument for Apply

Simulated Rainfall….

How to apply a Rainfall??

 First inflow and overflow should be balanced.
 Then calculated the required water quantity
with specific time period.
 Then calculated flow rate of outflow.
 Finally calculated required time period for apply
water.
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NUMERICAL MODELLING USING SEEP/W-2012

Special Functionality

 The initial matric suction in the depths of

150mm, 450mm and 600mm were defined.
A B

• At 150mm depth = 1.55 kPa

• At 450mm depth = 4.88 kPa
F C • At 600mm depth = 2.49 kPa
E D

 Initial rainfall = 10mm/hr for 4hrs

Numerical Model  Boundary Conditions,

• AE/BD/ED = 0 m3/sec (impermeable)
• DC = Interface layer
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HYDRAULIC PROPERTIES OF SOIL

Soil Water Characteristic Curve Permeability Function

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APPLIED RAINFALL
EVENTS
10 mm/hr for 4 hours 20 mm/hr for 4 hours

50 mm/hr for 5 hours

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RESULTS
COMPARISON OF RESULTS

 During the rainfall of 20mm/hr for 4 hours

4 hour analysis of rainfall - Interval 2 Hours

0 Hours- Observed 2 Hours- Observed 4 Hours- Observed
0 Hours- SEEP/W 2 Hours-SEEP/W 4 Hours-SEEP/W

850

750

650

550

450

350
4 3.5 3 2.5 2 1.5 1 0.5 0
COMPARISON OF RESULTS

 This graph shows the

comparison of the results
between numerical modal and
the laboratory modal.

 Time periods of initial, 4 days &

8days were compared.

 At the bottom of the sand

column shows the same results
in both analysis.

 In the top of sand column

shows little variation of both
analysis.
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50 mm/hr for 5 hours

 Laboratory Model  Numerical Model

CONCLUSION

 It is important to study the mechanism of infiltration of rainwater into the slope as

excessive rainfall creates major landslides.

 With the clear understanding of the mechanisms of rain induced slope failures,
appropriate preventive actions can be taken before a catastrophe.

 Prior to a fully instrumented field study a laboratory modelling and numerical

simulation of infiltration was done in this research under controlled condition.

 The water infiltrated downward will cause a rise in the level of the ground water
table. The infiltration could give rise to the development of positive pore water
pressures
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

 Final year research supervisor, Prof. S.A.S Kulathilake

 All lecturers in the geotechnical division.

 Mr. Nilanka Udayanga in NBRO.

 Laboratory staff of department of Civil Engineering.

 My dear colleagues.
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Thank you….!