Theoretical Evaluation of the Scale Effect in Dispersed Soils

Abstract

The theoretical evaluation of the scale effect in dispersed soils is considered in the engineering–geological study of various physical and physicomechanical properties that depend on the structural inhomogeneity of a soil. Concepts and new quantitative indicators are proposed to evaluate the manifestation of the scale effect in dispersed soils in relation to physical and physicomechanical properties. The classification of structural heterogeneities in dispersed soils that affect the scale effect in them has been developed. A method for analyzing the scale effect in dispersed soils is described on the basis of the superposition principle. A theoretical model of recording the scale effect in dispersed soils is substantiated in engineering–geological evaluation of various physical and physicomechanical properties.