Long-term deformation mechanism of high fill based on soil electrical resistivity experiments and TDR method

The deformation mechanism of high fill is determined through soil electrical resistivity (SER) experiments on a high-fill airport project and the TDR (Time-Domain Reflectometry) method. An SER model under different initial saturation values is established, and the process of deformation versus SER is divided into consolidation, balance, creep, and stabilization stages. Thus, the deformation component is recognized and separated by SER method. Results of the SER experiments show that high initial saturation of loess relates to large primary consolidation and creep deformation. The variation and migration mechanisms of water in the high fill were analyzed through TDR method. Consolidation and moistening deformation occurred in the shallow-layered fill and original foundation, and creep deformation occurred in the deep-layered fill. Constitutive models that consider the abovementioned deformation mechanism should be applied to different layers of soil when used in a numerical analysis.