Abstract: The remolded bentonite samples with different water contents were prepared after drying with air dry method, drying method and freeze dry method. Their cumulative intrusion curves were obtained with mercury intrusion test. The division of pore scale for remolded bentonite samples were made according to the test result; then the quantitative analysis of pore criterion distribution characteristics was made according to the test result. The results show that the pore diameters and pore-scale distributions of soil prepared by air dry method, drying method and freeze dry method are great different. The higher of water content is, the more obvious difference is; the pore diameter of soil prepared by air dry method and drying method become small, causes the change of micropore characteristic; the pore diameter of soil prepared by freeze dry method does not become small, so does not cause the change of micropore characteristic. And the conclusion is drawn that the freeze dry method is the best method for drying remolded bentonite sample using mercury intrusion test.

Key words: pore scale, air dry method;drying method, freeze dry method, mercury intrusion test