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Characteristics and classification of microinterface in loess: a case study in the Loess Plateau, China
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DOI：10.1007/s10064-026-05208-3.png)
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Abstract
En 中文
Loess is a unique geological material characterized by high porosity and diverse pore morphologies, which create complex microinterfaces between particles. These microinterfaces, defined as the contact boundaries among the granular particles, are critical for understanding the hydraulic properties and associated disaster mechanism of loess. This study quantifies the geometric characteristics of these microinterfaces in loess from the Yan’an area, China, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and image analysis. Based on their extension length, form factor, and abundance ratio, the microinterfaces were classified into three types: serrated, tubular, and equiaxed. Serrated microinterfaces, formed by edge-to-corner contacts, are large-scale and exhibit poor stability, making them highly sensitive to external loads. Tubular microinterfaces are the most developed, forming a well-connected network that defines the boundaries of granule minerals and debris aggregates. Equiaxed microinterfaces are the smallest and most stable, representing contacts within aggregates of clay or carbonate materials. The study reveals that the transformation between these microinterface types, driven by external or hydraulic loads, is a key factor contributing to loess collapsibility and landslides. These findings provide a new perspective for understanding the water-sensitive disaster mechanisms of loess from a microstructural viewpoint.
Keywords:
Loess
Scanning electron microscopy
Microinterface geometrical form
Classification characteristic
Macroscopic mechanical behavior
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