7 / 2025-04-24 11:27:06

Quantifying Heterogeneity through Hydraulic Conductivity Profiles during Suffusion

Suffusion is a process that alters the homogeneity of soil samples, causing initially homogeneous samples to become inhomogeneous, and vice versa. These changes in homogeneity can significantly influence subsequent tests, such as hydraulic conductivity measurements or mechanical strength assessments, which may be affected by the suffusion process. Despite its importance, the concept of homogeneity, particularly in the context of suffusion, has not been extensively investigated.

This contribution presents an experimental setup designed to study suffusion using a coaxial line cell, equipped with real-time porosity monitoring through Spatial Time Domain Reflectometry (STDR). By tracking spatial changes in porosity, the movement of fine particles and corresponding variations in hydraulic conductivity can be quantified. The spatial distribution of hydraulic conductivity along the sample is analyzed to assess the degree and evolution of heterogeneity during the suffusion process. This paper introduces the experimental device, details the conducted experiments, and proposes definitions of heterogeneity based on hydraulic conductivity profile measurements.