A 3D discrete model for soil desiccation cracking in consideration of moisture diffusion

Soil desiccation cracking is a common phenomenon on the earth surface. Numerical modeling is an effective approach to study the desiccation cracking mechanism of soil. This work develops a novel 3D moisture diffusion discrete model that is capable of dynamically assessing the effect of cracking on m...

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Main Authors: Chengzeng Yan, Tie Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-01-01
Series:Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674775524001380
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author Chengzeng Yan
Tie Wang
author_facet Chengzeng Yan
Tie Wang
author_sort Chengzeng Yan
collection DOAJ
description Soil desiccation cracking is a common phenomenon on the earth surface. Numerical modeling is an effective approach to study the desiccation cracking mechanism of soil. This work develops a novel 3D moisture diffusion discrete model that is capable of dynamically assessing the effect of cracking on moisture diffusion and allowing moisture to be discontinuous on both sides of the cracks. Then, the parametric analysis of the moisture exchange coefficient in the 3D moisture diffusion discrete model is carried out for moisture diffusion in continuous media, and the selection criterion of the moisture exchange coefficient for the unbroken cohesive element is given. Subsequently, an example of moisture migration in a medium with one crack is provided to illustrate the crack hindering effect on moisture migration. Finally, combining the 3D moisture diffusion discrete model with the finite-discrete element method (FDEM), the moisture diffusion-fracture coupling model is built to study the desiccation cracking in a strip soil and the crack pattern of a rectangular soil. The evolution of crack area and volume with moisture content is quantitatively analyzed. The modeling number and average width of cracks in the strip soil show a good consistency with the experimental results, and the crack pattern of the rectangular soil matches well with the existing numerical results, validating the coupled moisture diffusion-fracture model. Additionally, the parametric study of soil desiccation cracking is performed. The developed model offers a powerful tool for exploring soil desiccation cracking.
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spelling doaj-art-dde2600b8aff4628a628c3ceb91948af2025-01-17T04:49:07ZengElsevierJournal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering1674-77552025-01-01171614635A 3D discrete model for soil desiccation cracking in consideration of moisture diffusionChengzeng Yan0Tie Wang1Faculty of Engineering, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China; State Key Laboratory of Intelligent Construction and Healthy Operation and Maintenance of Deep Underground Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, 221116, China; National Center for International Research on Deep Earth Drilling and Resource Development, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China; Corresponding author. Faculty of Engineering, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China.Faculty of Engineering, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, ChinaSoil desiccation cracking is a common phenomenon on the earth surface. Numerical modeling is an effective approach to study the desiccation cracking mechanism of soil. This work develops a novel 3D moisture diffusion discrete model that is capable of dynamically assessing the effect of cracking on moisture diffusion and allowing moisture to be discontinuous on both sides of the cracks. Then, the parametric analysis of the moisture exchange coefficient in the 3D moisture diffusion discrete model is carried out for moisture diffusion in continuous media, and the selection criterion of the moisture exchange coefficient for the unbroken cohesive element is given. Subsequently, an example of moisture migration in a medium with one crack is provided to illustrate the crack hindering effect on moisture migration. Finally, combining the 3D moisture diffusion discrete model with the finite-discrete element method (FDEM), the moisture diffusion-fracture coupling model is built to study the desiccation cracking in a strip soil and the crack pattern of a rectangular soil. The evolution of crack area and volume with moisture content is quantitatively analyzed. The modeling number and average width of cracks in the strip soil show a good consistency with the experimental results, and the crack pattern of the rectangular soil matches well with the existing numerical results, validating the coupled moisture diffusion-fracture model. Additionally, the parametric study of soil desiccation cracking is performed. The developed model offers a powerful tool for exploring soil desiccation cracking.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674775524001380Moisture migrationSoil desiccation crackingCrack hindering effectCrack patternFinite-discrete element method (FDEM)
spellingShingle Chengzeng Yan
Tie Wang
A 3D discrete model for soil desiccation cracking in consideration of moisture diffusion
Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering
Moisture migration
Soil desiccation cracking
Crack hindering effect
Crack pattern
Finite-discrete element method (FDEM)
title A 3D discrete model for soil desiccation cracking in consideration of moisture diffusion
title_full A 3D discrete model for soil desiccation cracking in consideration of moisture diffusion
title_fullStr A 3D discrete model for soil desiccation cracking in consideration of moisture diffusion
title_full_unstemmed A 3D discrete model for soil desiccation cracking in consideration of moisture diffusion
title_short A 3D discrete model for soil desiccation cracking in consideration of moisture diffusion
title_sort 3d discrete model for soil desiccation cracking in consideration of moisture diffusion
topic Moisture migration
Soil desiccation cracking
Crack hindering effect
Crack pattern
Finite-discrete element method (FDEM)
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674775524001380
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