Effects of soil bulk density and water content on the mechanical stability of soil structure using rheological method

Mechanical stability of soil structure determined the scour resistance, erodibility, collapsibility, slope stability, and foundation stability of the soil, even the large-scale agricultural instruments, as well as irrigation and water conservancy projects. Alternatively, rheology has widely been one part of soil physical characterization under deformation. The rheological parameters can be utilized to clarify the highly complex soil process, including the most significant soil aggregation factors, such as soil bulk density and water content. In this study, the widely distributed Lou soil and loessal soil on the Loess Plateau were selected as the research objects. An amplitude scanning test was selected to simulate the oscillation load process. An investigation was made on the effect of soil bulk density and water content on the mechanical stability of soil structure under the oscillation load. The results show that: 1) The soil density increased the contact point between soil particles, leading to the increasing cohesion and friction between particles. The shear strength parameters were all increased, including the shear stress at the linear viscoelastic region, as the increase of soil bulk density, indicating the increase in the stability of soil structure. In terms of viscoelastic parameters, the shear strain at yield points of Loessal soil and integral zone of Lou soil increased first and then decreased, with the increase of soil bulk density. Soil particles were under the most stable way of organization and combination (1.3 g/cm3). Shear strength parameters with the change of soil bulk density were more sensitive than viscoelastic parameters. 2) As the increase of soil water content, the shear strength parameters presented the decreasing trends, including the shear stress at the linear viscoelastic region, the shear stress at yield point, the maximum shear stress, indicating the decreased stability of soil structure. In viscoelastic parameters, the shear strain at the linear viscoelasticity region of Lou soil increased with the increase of water content, but the shear strain at yield point of Lou soil and integral zone of Loessal soil decreased. It indicated that the cohesion and friction between soil particles decreased, with the increase of soil water content. The higher water content of soil particles decreased the relative sliding resistance between particles, leading to the deterioration of soil structural stability. 3) The elasticity and shear strength of Lou soil was higher than that of Loessal soil. This was mainly because Lou soil contained a higher content of clay, organic matter, cation exchange capacity, and specific surface area than those of Loessal soil, indicating the improved cementation strength between soil particles. Consequently, the rheological parameters from the amplitude scanning test in the rheometer can be used to quantitatively characterize the mechanical stability of soil structure, providing for rich evaluation parameters to further understand the micromechanical properties of soil. The finding can provide a shred of strong scientific evidence for agricultural water and soil engineering design, as well as the prevention and control of landslide and geological disasters in the Loess Plateau.