CHANGES IN THE DEFORMATION AND SETTLEMENT PARAMETERS OF LOESS SOILS IN THE FOUNDATIONS OF BUILDINGS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF WETTING WATER TEMPERATURE

Abstract

The article presents the results of a laboratory investigation of loess soil under wetting with water of different temperatures. Laboratory tests on loess samples showed that the parameters of relative subsidence increase as the water temperature rises. The increase in relative subsidence reached almost 15 %. The experiments confirmed the assumption that the temperature of the wetting water accelerates the subsidence process of the foundation soil and, consequently, the appearance of structural deformations such as cracks on building walls. Based on the obtained results, it was demonstrated that the temperature of the wetting water has a considerable influence on the deformation characteristics of loess soils. In particular, a noticeable reduction in the porosity coefficient was observed with increasing soaking-water temperature. These findings indicate that not only the moisture content but also the thermal regime of wetting must be considered when assessing the deformational behavior of loess soils in foundation engineering. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the importance of accounting for seasonal and anthropogenic factors that can alter groundwater temperature in urbanized territories. Even minor thermal variations in the infiltration water can intensify settlement processes and reduce the reliability of foundations in buildings erected on loess deposits. The obtained data provide a scientific basis for improving predictive models of soil deformation and for developing engineering measures aimed at preventing temperature-induced subsidence. The results can also be applied in designing foundations and choosing optimal construction technologies in regions where loess soils are widespread and exposed to fluctuating hydro-thermal conditions.