HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Chertkov, V. Y. Articles by Ravina, I. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Chertkov, V. Y. Articles by Ravina, I. GeoRef GeoRef Citation Agricola Articles by Chertkov, V. Y. Articles by Ravina, I.

Modeling the Crack Network of Swelling Clay Soils

Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Technion, Haifa 32000, Israel

*Corresponding author(agvictor{at}techunix.technion.ac.il).

ABSTRACT

The dynamic crack network in swelling clay soils is a major factor determining their hydraulic properties and particularly preferential flow, with important consequences for ecologically adverse processes. We developed a physically based probabilistic model for the prediction of crack network geometry that takes into account the dependence of the crack concentration on soil depth. Starting with the similarity of crack networks in rocks and soils, we used the multiple cracking and fragmentation model available for rocks. In the case of cracked soils, two fundamental parameters of the model, the average spacing between cracks and the crack connectedness, become specific functions of depth. We constructed these functions for "steady-state" cracking after long drying times using a number of reasonable physical assumptions and introducing two additional parameters: the maximum crack depth, z_m, and the thickness of the intensively cracked layer, z_o. With continued drying, the ratio z_m/z_o 10 and the limiting values of these parameters are determined. Applications of the model include estimates of crack width, cross-sectional area, and volume in clay soils, given a knowledge of the water content profile and the shrinkage curve of the clay soil matrix. Published data of four field and lysimeter experiments from different geographical areas were analyzed for validation of the model. A satisfactory correspondence was obtained between predicted and measured crack parameters.

Received for publication October 31, 1996.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				T. Sander and H. H. Gerke Preferential Flow Patterns in Paddy Fields Using a Dye Tracer Vadose Zone J., January 24, 2007; 6(1): 105 - 115. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				V. Y. Chertkov The Shrinkage Geometry Factor of a Soil Layer Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., September 29, 2005; 69(6): 1671 - 1683. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Samouelian, I. Cousin, G. Richard, A. Tabbagh, and A. Bruand Electrical Resistivity Imaging for Detecting Soil Cracking at the Centimetric Scale Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., September 1, 2003; 67(5): 1319 - 1326. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. R. Wells, D. A. DiCarlo, T. S. Steenhuis, J.-Y. Parlange, M. J. M. Romkens, and S. N. Prasad Infiltration and Surface Geometry Features of a Swelling Soil following Successive Simulated Rainstorms Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., September 1, 2003; 67(5): 1344 - 1351. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. K. Philip, L.K. Philip, H. Shimell, P.J. Hewitt, and H.T. Ellard A field-based test cell examining clay desiccation in landfill liners Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, November 1, 2002; 35(4): 345 - 354. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				V. Chertkov Reply to ""Comments on 'Using Surface Crack Spacing to Predict Crack Network Geometry in Swelling Soils'"" Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., September 1, 2001; 65(5): 1574 - 1575. [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. D. Hallett and T. A. Newson A simple fracture mechanics approach for assessing ductile crack growth in soil Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., July 1, 2001; 65(4): 1083 - 1088. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				V.Y. Chertkov Using Surface Crack Spacing to Predict Crack Network Geometry in Swelling Soils Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., November 1, 2000; 64(6): 1918 - 1921. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				V.Y. Chertkov and I. Ravina Tortuosity of Crack Networks in Swelling Clay Soils Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., November 1, 1999; 63(6): 1523 - 1530. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]