The effect of repeated wetting-drying on the hydraulic properties of Konnos clay

Abstract

The abstract effect of climate change on the structure of compacted calcareous marine clay was investigated. The most significant factor, repeated wetting and drying cycles, altered the clay's characteristics at both micro and macro levels. The influence of these structural changes on the soil water characteristic curve (SWCC) and the permeability function was studied. The Brooks and Corey and van Genuchten models were used to describe the SWCC. The van Genuchten model, which used the parameters m and n, best matched the experimental SWCC data obtained during the desorption of samples saturated with three wetting cycles. Applying the van Genuchten equation, constrained with m = 1 - 1/n, to the Muallem model predicted the relative permeability coefficient. Repeated wetting and drying cycles reduced the pore size distribution and increased the water capacity. However, the relative permeability coefficient was almost the same at lower suction values, and decreased at higher values due to the application of repeated humidification.