A Trans-Scale Study on the Influence of Water Content and Particle Size on Matric Suction

Exploring the water retention properties of unsaturated soil from perspective a liquid bridge has been popular issue in recent years. This study first measures soil–water characteristic curves (SWCCs) granular specimens to determine influence particle size on matric suction macroscopic perspective. Then, internal mechanism and volumetric content is analyzed mesoscopic by using Young–Laplace (Y–L) equation calculate between two equal spheres. The experiments both show that decreases with an increase radius. Moreover, identifying SWCC only applicable when gravity can be disregarded or transitional stage. sphere radius mostly caused variation outer ( r 1 ) neck id="M2"> 2 ). With diameter, increasing rate id="M3"> much higher than id="M4"> , macroscopical gradually decreases.