New experimental method for loess collapsibility using centrifugal model tests

The methods for loess collapsibility mainly include field immersion testing method and laboratory testing method. A majority of the results of laboratory testing method differ greatly from the engineering practice. The disadvantages of field immersion testing method are high cost and long testing period. Therefore, a different approach is required. A type of strong collapsible loess under overburden pressure from Ili, Xinjiang is tested based on centrifugal model tests. The results of centrifugal model tests are compared with those of field immersion tests and conventional laboratory collapsible loess tests. The experimental study demonstrates that the Single-line and double-line methods are applicable in measuring the loess collapsibility using centrifugal model tests. The coefficient of lateral earth pressure obtained from the centrifugal model tests is comparable with the value measured by the conventional laboratory tests. The results obtained from the centrifugal model tests are proposed using the correction parameter . The good agreement in the experimental study using centrifugal model tests and the field immersion tests shows that the proposed method can be used as an effective method in measuring loess collapsibility.