The Soil-Water Characteristic Curve and Determination Methods

The Soil-Water Characteristic Curve (SWCC) is a fundamental concept in soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering. It defines the relationship between soil suction and water content and provides valuable insight into the hydraulic behavior of soils. Accurate determination of the SWCC is crucial for various geotechnical applications, such as slope stability analysis, foundation design, and groundwater flow modeling. This paper highlights some different methods used to determine the SWCC, including laboratory tests like the axis translation, filter paper method, osmosic technique, tensiometer, vapor technique, and some estimating methods. Technological advancements have greatly enhanced the accuracy and efficiency of SWCC measurements, leading to improved decision-making in geotechnical projects.

Keywords:

soil-water characteristic curve (SWCC) , hysteresis , axis translation , filter paper , vapor technique , tensiometer , estimating methods