Seepage and Dynamic Characteristics of Carbonaceous Mudstone Coarse-Grained Soil Embankment with Different Gradations

This study investigates the seepage and deformation characteristics of carbonaceous mudstone coarse-grained soil embankment with different gradations under the action of dynamic load and rainfall. An indoor geotechnical test is conducted, and the mechanical parameters of carbonaceous mudstone coarse-grained soil with different gradations are analyzed. A numerical calculation model of seepage and dynamic characteristics of carbonaceous mudstone coarse-grained soil embankment is established on the basis of the test data. The different effects of rainfall infiltration and vehicle load are evaluated. The seepage, settlement, and slope stability evolution characteristics of graded carbonaceous mudstone coarse-grained soil embankment slope are studied. Results show that under the condition of the same rainfall time, the greater the nonuniformity coefficient, the faster the decrease in pore water pressure of the coarse-grained soil embankment at the same monitoring point. The seepage velocity vector in the embankment is concentrated below the soil shoulder. The smaller the saturated permeability coefficient and saturated water content, the larger the seepage velocity vector. The greater the nonuniformity coefficient, the larger the coarse-grained soil embankment under vehicle load. The smaller the embankment settlement, the lower the safety factor of embankment. The safety factor decreases slowly at first and then decreases rapidly in the whole study period under the effect of dynamic wetting. The research results provide a theoretical reference for the practical engineering application of carbonaceous mudstone coarse-grained soil embankment in rainy areas.

Automated summary

This study investigates the seepage and deformation characteristics of carbonaceous mudstone coarse-grained soil embankments under dynamic load and rainfall through indoor geotechnical tests and numerical calculations. The research results show that the nonuniformity coefficient has a significant impact on the behavior of embankments, and lower saturated permeability coefficients and water contents result in higher seepage velocities.