Due to the difficulties in sampling, high sensitivity to humidity, and inconvenience in storage, undisturbed loess is prone to changes in its original structure. Therefore, trace amounts of cement and salt are added to remolded soil to simulate the structure of undisturbed loess. The GDS dynamic three-axial test apparatus was used to investigate the influence of dry density, cement content, and confining pressure (CP) on the dynamic distortion characteristics of artificially structured soil. Based on dynamic triaxial tests, the Hardin–Drnevich (H-D) model was established through fitting analysis. The research findings indicate that increased dry density, cement content, and CP can enhance the soil’s resistance to distortion. Under dynamic loading, the higher the CP, the smaller the damping ratio of the soil. With a dry density of 1.20 g/cm³ and 2% cement, the dynamic modulus of the artificially structured loess is similar to that of undisturbed loess. With a dry density of 1.60 g/cm³ and 2% cement, the CP is 200 kPa, the soil’s dynamic modulus of elasticity (DM-E) peak value is 113.14 MPa, and the damping ratio is 0.258. The good agreement between trial data and the predicted results demonstrates that the H-D hyperbolic model is appropriate for representing the DM-E of artificially structured loess. A three-dimensional model of the dynamic deformation characteristics and microstructure of artificial structural loess under dynamic loads was established. The findings can guide the study of the mechanical properties of loess under dynamic loading.

Loess is a distinctly structured soil. Undisturbed loess is prone to geological hazards, such as liquefaction and landslides under dynamic loads. There are also problems such as the inhomogeneity, anisotropy, and disturbance of in situ sampling. An artificial structural loess is prepared to accurately display the dynamic characteristics of undisturbed loess. This study took artificial structural loess as the study object, through dynamic triaxial tests, analyzed the effects of the confining pressure (σ₃), dry density (ρ_d), and cement content (D) on its dynamic strength. Then, a dynamic strength index model of artificial structural loess was established. Our results show that the dynamic strength of artificial structural loess rises with enhanced σ₃, ρ_d, and D. The dynamic cohesion (c_d) and dynamic friction angle (φ_d) increased with the rise of ρ_d, and D. The dynamic strength of artificial structured loess is closer to that of undisturbed loess when the ρ_d is 1.60 g/cm³ and D is 2%. The R² values of the φ_d and the c_d model were 0.97 and 0.98, respectively, fitting the dynamic strength index of artificial structural loess with different D, ρ_d, and σ₃. Our study outcomes can serve as references and guides for engineering construction in loess areas.