Lou et al. (2026) Revealing drying-induced crack networks and hydrological pathways in loess using image recognition and continuous X-ray CT

Identification

• Journal: CATENA
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-09-22
• Authors: Yili Lou, Chenghua Shi, Tao Zhu, Keyue Zheng, Yingming Xiao, Zhu Peng
• DOI: 10.1016/j.catena.2026.110622

Research Groups

School of Civil Engineering, Central South University

Short Summary

This study reveals the coupling mechanism between moisture migration and crack network evolution in loess under high-temperature drying conditions, using continuous image capture, X-ray CT scanning, and pore-scale seepage simulations.

Objective

• Investigate the relationship between initial water content and crack network formation in loess under constant 50°C drying conditions.
• Elucidate the feedback mechanism by which moisture migration drives the transformation from isolated cracks to three-dimensional connected networks.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Laboratory-scale experiments on remolded loess samples with dimensions of approximately 10 cm × 5 cm × 2 cm.
• Temporal Scale: Continuous monitoring over a period of 100 hours under constant 50°C drying conditions.

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Pore-scale seepage simulations based on real 3D crack structures derived from X-ray CT scanning.
• Data sources: Continuous image capture, X-ray CT scanning, and pore-scale seepage simulations.

Main Results

• Cracking exhibited significant staging across all specimens, summarized as three phases: incubation, rapid propagation, and late-stage stabilization.
• Higher initial water content led to larger crack volumes, 3D surface areas, and numbers of connected throats.
• Evaporation process displayed distinct stages, with a secondary rise in evaporation rate highly synchronized with the surge in crack volume.

Contributions

• This study provides an experimental basis for evaluating hydrological responses, erosion initiation, and shallow stability in loess regions under alternating rainfall-evaporation conditions.
• The findings highlight the importance of considering the coupling mechanism between moisture migration and crack network evolution in understanding hydrological processes in loess landscapes.

Funding

• This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51979114) and the Hunan Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 2022JJ4033).

Citation

@article{Lou2026Revealing,
  author = {Lou, Yili and Shi, Chenghua and Zhu, Tao and Zheng, Keyue and Xiao, Yingming and Peng, Zhu},
  title = {Revealing drying-induced crack networks and hydrological pathways in loess using image recognition and continuous X-ray CT},
  journal = {CATENA},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1016/j.catena.2026.110622},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2026.110622}
}