Micropore Characteristics and CT Seepage Test of Jinan Red Clay with a Strong Vertical Permeability

Because of the particularity and complexity of Jinan spring area, the quaternary sedimentary layer is mainly composed of clay and silty clay, which has the characteristics of a strong permeability. In the construction of excavation, a series of problems such as the precipitation abnormal difficulties and the serious structural water seepage would occur. In order to reveal the causes of the strong permeability of Jinan red clay, a study from the perspective of micropore structure of Jinan red clay was conducted. First, the basic physical properties of the undisturbed red clay were tested, and the micro particle arrangement of the red clay was obtained by the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Then, a soil seepage device based on computed tomography (CT) was developed. The three-dimensional pore structure and the water flow visualization of the red clay in different seepage stages were obtained through CT scanning. Finally, a pore network model (PNM) was established to quantitatively analyze the number and the volume proportion of the pores and throats in the soil during the seepage process. The results show that the overlapping of particles in the horizontal section of Jinan red clay is more loose, and the pore structure is mainly developed vertically, with the existence of large connected channels. Water flows preferentially along the existing connected pore channel of the red clay, which leads to the expansion of the seepage channel. The connected channel with a large pore diameter is the main factor affecting the permeability of the soil. © 2022 Shanghai Jiao Tong University. All rights reserved.