The Advances in Properties of Water-Repellent Soil and Engineering Application

In this review, we outlined the concept of soil water repellency (SWR), introduced the effects of SWR as a liability on pedology and agriculture. On these bases, a review on the formation mechanism, influences, detection methods of SWR were described, and the research focuses were discussed emphasically. Finally, many key scientific problems of analyzing SWR were proposed, which includes major ones as follow: improved the existing evaluation system of hydrophobized degree; obtained the change rules of hydrophobized degree of soil considering the mechanical coupling action, the effects of modification methods on SWR, and the water movement patterns and mechanical behavior characteristics of hydrophobized soils based on the background of civil and hydraulic engineering; found the preparing methods and engineering implementation of hydrophobized soils which could meet the orders of impermeability, strength and deformation meanwhile. All the above investigations will provide the research bases for the hydrophobized soils widely appling in the civil and hydraulic engineering, and also promote crossing-interaction and development between pedology, agriculture and civil & hydraulic engineering further.