Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Anisotropy of Q2 loess in the Baijiapo Tunnel on the Lanyu Railway, China

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The predominately, wind-derived deposits forming the Loess Plateau in China are known as Wucheng loess (Q1), Lishi loess (Q2), and Manlan loess (Q3). Only Q3 loess has been intensely studied in densely populated areas, revealing that the structural strength of these aeolian sediments is directly related to their variations (anisotropy) in compressibility, water content, and, particularly, vertical jointing. Knowing the stability level of Q3 aeolian sediment is important in tunnel constructions through other types of loess. The research reported here has been mainly centered on obtaining the values of consolidation, unconfined compressive strength (UCS), direct and triaxial shear tests, Poisson’s ratio, and modulus of deformation of the Q2 loess in the Baijiapo Tunnel on the Lanyu Railway, Lanzhou, China. Included among the numerous results of these comprehensive laboratory tests are: the mean index of liquidity is 0.19; and the maximum modulus of compression in the vertical direction is 1.17. Furthermore, vertical and horizontal samples showed brittle fracture; the ratios of UCS and modulus of deformation in the vertical to the horizontal directions are 1.34 and 2.45, respectively. The wide range of various values of Lishi loess properties are closely related to variation in the density of the vertical jointing system. A new method for calculating comprehensive shear parameters is proposed and the related parameters for the Baijiapo Tunnel are recommended.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Chen ZY, Zhou JX, Wang HJ (1994) Soil mechanics. Tsinghua University Press, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  • Das BM (2006) Principles of geotechnical engineering, 6th edn. Nelson, Canada

    Google Scholar 

  • Dijkstra TA (2001) Geotechnical thresholds in the Lanzhou loess of China. Quat Int 76(77):21–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dijkstra TA, Rogers CDF, Smalley IJ, Derbyshire E, Li YJ, Meng XM (1994) The loess of north-central China: geotechnical properties and their relation to slope stability. Eng Geol 36:153–171

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fang XW, Chen ZH, Shen CN, Wang HW, Liu HJ (2008) Triaxial shear properties of undisturbed Q2 loess. Chin J Rock Mech Eng 27(2):383–389

    Google Scholar 

  • Fang QB, Ma JL, Yu Y, Yang JM, Wang XD (2009) Experimental research on elastic resistant coefficient, deformation and compressive modulus of surrounding rock in large-section loess tunnel. Chin J Rock Mech Eng 28(Suppl 2):3932–3937

    Google Scholar 

  • Fang XW, Shen CN, Chen ZH, Zhang W (2011) Triaxial wetting tests of intact Q2 loess by computed tomography. China Civ Eng J 44(10):98–106

    Google Scholar 

  • Feng LC, Zheng YW (1982) Collapsible loess in China. Chinese Railway Publishing House, Beijing, pp 12–74

    Google Scholar 

  • Gao GR (1996) The distribution and geotechnical properties of loess soils, lateritic soils and clayey soils in China. Eng Geol 42:95–104

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • He QF (2008) Study on the mechanical and rheological properties of Yan’an Q2 loess. PhD thesis, Chang’an University, Xi’an

  • Hu ZQ, Shen ZJ, Xie DY (2004) Deformation properties of structural loess. Chin J Rock Mech Eng 23(24):4142–4146

    Google Scholar 

  • Kalinski ME (2005) Soil mechanics laboratory manual. Wiley, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Li BX, Miao TD (2006) Research on water sensitivity of loess shear strength. Chin J Rock Mech Eng 25(05):1003–1008

    Google Scholar 

  • Liang QG, Zhao L, An YF, Zhang YJ (2011) Preliminary study on anisotropy of Q4 loess in Lanzhou. Rock Soil Mech 33(1):17–23

    Google Scholar 

  • Lin CY (1961) Penetration test on loess in Lanzhou. In: Study on fundamental properties of loess, by Research Office of Institute of Civil Construction, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Science Publishing House, Beijing, pp 95–103

  • Lin ZG, Liang WM (1980) Distribution and engineering properties if loess and loess-like soils in China: schematic map of engineering geological zoning. Bull Int Assoc Eng Geol 21:112–117

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin ZG, Wang SJ (1988) Collapsibility and deformation characteristics of deep-seated loess in China. Eng Geol 25:271–282

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ling RH, Han BC, Qu YX (1996) Excavation effect of large-span deep buried loess tunnel. J Eng Geol 4(3):65–70

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu ZD (1997) Mechanics and engineering in loess, vol 1–18. Shan’xi Science and Technology Publishing House, Xi’an, pp 366–389

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu YR,Tang HM (1999) Rock mass mechanics. China University of Geosciences Press, Wuhan

    Google Scholar 

  • Lu QZ, Peng JB, Chen ZX, Li XA (2005) Research on characteristics of cracks and fissures of loess and their distribution in Loess Plateau of China. J Soil Water Conserv 19(5):191–194

    Google Scholar 

  • Mi HZ, Li RM, Niu JX (2006) Experimental investigation of shear strength characteristics of intact loess in Lanzhou. J Lanzhou Univ Technol 32(4):109–111

    Google Scholar 

  • Milovic D (1988) Stress deformation properties of macroporous loess soils. Eng Geol 25:283–302

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qian HJ, Wang JT, Luo YS (1985) Foundations on collapsible loess. China Architecture Industry Publishing House of Beijing, Beijing, pp 20–50

    Google Scholar 

  • Qiao PD, Li ZJ (1990) Engineering geology in loess areas. Water Conservancy and Electric Power Publishing House, Beijing, pp 52–60

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramamurthy T (2004) A geo-engineering classification for rocks and rock masses. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 4:89–101

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shao SJ, Deng GH (2008) The strength characteristics of loess with different structures and its application in analyzing the earth pressure on loess tunnel. China Civ Eng J 41(11):93–98

    Google Scholar 

  • Sun GZ (1997) Collected works of Guangzhong Sun on geological engineering. Weapon Industry Publishing House, Beijing, pp 223–257

    Google Scholar 

  • Sun JZ (2005) Loessology: part 1. Press of Archeology Society of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, pp 1–80

    Google Scholar 

  • Tan T (1988) Fundamental properties of loess from Northwestern China. Eng Geol 25:103–133

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tang H, Dang Q, Duan Z, Zhao FS, Song F (2014) Study on creep characteristics of Q2 loess of Xianyang Area in the Guanzhong Basin. J Disaster Prev Mitig Eng 34(6):758–763, 770

  • The 1st Design Institute of China Ministry of Railway (1975) Manual of tunnel design in railway engineering. People’s Railway Press, Beijing, pp 391–399

    Google Scholar 

  • The National Standards of People’s Republic of China (1999) Standard for soil test method (GB/T50123-1999). China Planning Press, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang JM (1996) The theory on tectonic joints in loess and its application. China Water Conservancy and Hydropower Publishing House, Beijing, pp 15–23, 148–165

  • Wang YY, Lin ZG (1990) Structural characteristics, physical and mechanical properties of loess in China. Science Press, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang JM, Ni YL, Sun JZ (1994) A study on structural joints in loess and its practical applications. J Eng Geol 2(4):31–42

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu WJ, Chen WW, Song BH, Feng LT, Ye WL (2012) Experiment on the shear characteristics of undisturbed Q2 loess in Lanzhou. J Lanzhou Univ (Nat Sci) 48(6):21–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Xie DY (2001) Exploration of some new tendencies in research of loess mechanics. Chin J Geotech Eng 23(1):3–13

    Google Scholar 

  • Xie X, Zhao FS, Wang YT, Lin B, Wang DH (2006) Comparative study on mechanical features of structural Q2 and Q3 loess. J Xi’an Univ Sci Technol 26(4):451–455, 468

  • Zhang W (1995) Discussions on mechanical test for loess. Geotech Investig Surv 3:6–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang FY, Wang GH, Kamai T, Chen WW, Zhang DX, Yang J (2013) Undrained shear behavior of loess saturated with different concentrations of sodium chloride solution. Eng Geol 155:69–79

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang FY, Wang GH, Kamai T, Chen WW (2014) Effect of pore-water chemistry on undrained shear behaviour of saturated loess. Q J Eng Geol Hydrogeol (online first)

  • Zhong ZL (2008) Study on constitutive model of Q2 intact loess and its application in tunnel engineering. PhD thesis, Chongqing University, Chongqing

  • Zhong ZL, Zhang J, Liu ZL, Fang JB, Zhou Y (2011) Test on engineering properties of unsaturated undisturbed loess Q2. J Chongqing Univ 34(2):120–124

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was partially supported by the National Science Foundation of China (41262010 and 41402252), the Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University (IRT1139), China, and the Foundation for Basic Research Innovative Groups of Gansu Province, China (145RJIA332). The authors also appreciate the editor and referees for their valuable comments that led to substantial improvement of this paper.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Civil Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, China

    Qingguo Liang & Xuyang Wu

  2. Key Laboratory of Road & Bridge and Underground Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, China

    Qingguo Liang & Xuyang Wu

  3. School of Civil, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC, 3001, Australia

    Jie Li & Annan Zhou

Authors
  1. Qingguo Liang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jie Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Xuyang Wu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Annan Zhou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Qingguo Liang.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Liang, Q., Li, J., Wu, X. et al. Anisotropy of Q2 loess in the Baijiapo Tunnel on the Lanyu Railway, China. Bull Eng Geol Environ 75, 109–124 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-015-0723-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-015-0723-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation