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In this study, the behavior of a widely graded soil prone to suffusion and necessity of homogeneity quantifi cation for such a soil in internal stability considerations are discussed. With the help of suffusion tests, the dependency of the particle washout to homogeneity of sample is shown. The validity of the great infl uence of homogeneity on suffusion processes by the presentation of arguments and evidences are established. It is emphasized that the internal stability of a widely graded soil cannot be directly correlated to the common geotechnical parameters such as dry density or permeability. The initiation and propagation of the suffusion processes are clearly a particle scale phenomenon, so the homogeneity of particle assemblies (micro-scale) has a decisive effect on particle rearrangement and washout processes. It is addressed that the guidelines for assessing internal stability lack a fundamental, scientifi c basis for quantifi cation of homogeneity. The observation of the segregation processes within the sample in an ascending layered order (for downwards fl ow) inspired the author to propose a new packing model for granular materials which are prone to internally instability.
It is shown that the particle arrangement, especially the arrangement of soil skeleton particles or the so-called primary fabric has the main role in suffusiv processes. Therefore, an experimental approach for identifi cation of the skeleton in the soil matrix is proposed. 3D models of Sequential Fill Tests using Discrete Element Method (DEM) and 3D models of granular packings for relative, stochastically and ideal homogeneous particle assemblies were generated, and simulations have been carried out.
Based on the numerical investigations and in dependency on the soil skeleton behavior, an approach for measurement of relevant scale, the so-called Representative Elementary Volume (REV) for homogeneity investigation is proposed. The development of a new testing method for quantifi cation of homogeneity is introduced (in-situ). An approach for quantifi cation of homogeneity in numerically or experimentally generated packings (samples) based on image processing method of MATLAB has been introduced. A generalized experimental method for assessment of internal stability for widely graded soils with dominant coarse matrix is developed, and a new suffusion criterion based on ideal homogeneous internally stable granular packing is designed.
My research emphasizes that in a widely graded soils with dominant coarse matrix, the soil fractions with diameters bigger than D60 build essentially the soil skeleton. The mass and spatial distribution of these fractions governs the internal stability, and the mass and distribution of the fi ll fractions are a secondary matter. For such a soil, the homogeneity of the skeleton must be cautiously measured and verified.