Study on the Moisture Content of Loess Stratum in Xi´an Region

On the basis of field investigation, the change characteristic of moisture content of loess in Xi´an region has been studied by analysing the moisture content and particulate component. The result shows that the moisture content of the loess has the character of undulate change and increases from top to bottom in the same loess section. The apex is in the paleosol and the trough lies in the loess stratum. The moisture content from top to bottom in the loess stratum with the calcium carbonate nodule decreases firstly and then increases, and the peak situates above the calcium carbonate nodule because these nodules are of aquiclude effects. On the contrary the moisture content from top to bottom in paleosol stratum increases first then decreases, and the highest value lies in the middle or lower of the section , where the contents of clay particulate is the biggest. These findings demonstrate that the important factor affecting the moisture content is the soil character, and the content of moisture and clay particulate are significantly positive correlation.