A Study on the Dynamic Strength and Index Model of Artificial Structural Loess

Loess is a distinctly structured soil. Undisturbed loess is prone to geological hazards, such as liquefaction and landslides under dynamic loads. There are also problems such as the inhomogeneity, anisotropy, and disturbance of in situ sampling. An artificial structural loess is prepared to accurately display the dynamic characteristics of undisturbed loess. This study took artificial structural loess as the study object, through dynamic triaxial tests, analyzed the effects of the confining pressure (σ3), dry density (ρd), and cement content (D) on its dynamic strength. Then, a dynamic strength index model of artificial structural loess was established. Our results show that the dynamic strength of artificial structural loess rises with enhanced σ3, ρd, and D. The dynamic cohesion (cd) and dynamic friction angle (φd) increased with the rise of ρd, and D. The dynamic strength of artificial structured loess is closer to that of undisturbed loess when the ρd is 1.60 g/cm3 and D is 2%. The R2 values of the φd and the cd model were 0.97 and 0.98, respectively, fitting the dynamic strength index of artificial structural loess with different D, ρd, and σ3. Our study outcomes can serve as references and guides for engineering construction in loess areas.