Water retention curve of soils with distinct pore space characteristics

The objective of this paper is to observe Water Retention Curve (WRC) of soils with different pore space characteristics. Comparisons with porosimetry tests were carried out to encourage the use of porosimetry tests to estimate the WRC. Six different types of soils were used in this study. Based on particle-size distribution and pore space characteristics, they could be categorized into three groups: normal-graded, gap-graded, and dual-porosity soils. Centrifuge test method was selected to determine volumetric water content with associated soil suction to cover broad range soil suction. WRC curve and pore-size distribution for all specimens are presented and discussed. The results indicate that the presence of both interaggregate and intraaggregate pore do not necessarily affect any typical WRC shape. Coarse grain dual-porosity soils results bimodal WRC due to significant difference between interaggregate and intraaggregate pore space.