Properties of a low-swelling smectitic marine clay of interest in soil engineering

1985 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 241-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masami Ohtsubo ◽  
Kazuhiko Egashira ◽  
Masateru Takayama

Smectite is generally a high-swelling clay. However, the smectite found in marine quick clays in the Ariake Bay area of Japan is a low-swelling clay like illite and kaolinite. The low swelling properties of an Ariake marine clay are investigated here in terms of consolidation, swelling, and shrinkage characteristics. The void ratios in compression curves of soils containing sodium are lower at 0.01 N than at 1.0 N NaCl concentration, and the slopes of swelling curves are independent of salt concentration in the pore water and cation valency. These tendencies are contrary to those observed for montmorillonite and a paddy soil containing high-swelling smectite. Measurements of swelling pressure suggest that the smectite in the Ariake marine clay exhibits little intracrystalline swelling even after saturation with Na. The volume shrinkage of the Ariake marine clay by air-drying is smaller than that of the paddy soil. Key words: compressibility, marine clays, smectite, swelling.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bendadi Hanumantha Rao ◽  
Peddireddy Sreekanth Reddy ◽  
Bijayananda Mohanty ◽  
Krishna R. Reddy

AbstractMicrolevel properties such as mineralogical and chemical compositions greatly control the macro behaviour of expansive soils. In this paper, the combined effect of mineral (i.e. montmorillonite, MMC) and chemical contents (i.e. Ca and Na in their total (T), leachable (L) and exchangeable form (CEC)) on swelling behaviour is investigated in a comprehensive way. Several 3-dimensional (3D) graphs correlating MMC and Ca/Na ratio, together, with swelling property (swelling potential, Sa, and swelling pressure, Sp) are developed. 3D plots, in general, portrayed a non-linear relationship of Sa and Sp with MMC and Ca/Na ratio, together. It is hypothesized that swelling initially is triggered by chemical parameters due to their quick and rapid ionization capability, but the overall swelling phenomenon is largely controlled by MMC. It is importantly found that expansive soils are dominant with divalent Ca++ ions up to MMC of 67% and beyond this percentage, monovalent Na+ ions are prevalent. From the interpretation of results, the maximum Sa of 18% and Sp of 93 kPa is measured at MMC of 43%, (Ca/Na)T of 10–14 and (Ca/Na)L of 2–7. It is concluded from study that total CEC + MMC for determining Sa and (Ca/Na)T + MMC for determining Sp are superior parameters to be considered. The findings of the study also excellently endorsed the results of Foster32, who stated that ionization of Na or Ca depends on the constituent mineral contents. The findings presented herein are unique, interesting and bear very practical significance, as no earlier research work reported such findings by accounting for chemical and mineralogical parameters impact, in tandem, on swelling properties.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1622
Author(s):  
Yu-Ping Wang ◽  
Zhe Wang ◽  
Yu Zhao ◽  
Fa-Cheng Yi ◽  
Bao-Long Zhu

In China, Gaomiaozi (GMZ) bentonite is recognized as a barrier material for isolating nuclear waste. Different chemical solutions may change the hydraulic conductivity and swelling capacity of bentonite. Consequently, a series of swelling pressure and permeability experiments was carried out on bentonite-sand mixtures with various dry densities and infiltrating solutions. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) were carried out on the samples experiencing the tests to identify the influence of chemistry pore solutions upon the mineralogical and microstructure changes. The results show that the swelling pressure experienced rapid swelling, slow expansion, and the stable expansion stage for the specimens of infiltrating solutions except for NaOH. For the specimens infiltrated with NaOH solutions, the swelling pressure experienced rapid increases, slow decreases, and a stable development stage. With hyper-alkaline and hyper-salinity infiltration, the swelling pressure decreased, and the permeability increased. In addition, swelling pressure attained stability more quickly on contact with hyper-alkaline and hyper-salinity solutions. Comparing the test results, the results indicate that the influence of NaOH on the expansion and permeability was higher than NaCl-Na2SO4 at the same concentration.


Clay Minerals ◽  
1985 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 477-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Pederstad ◽  
P. Jørgensen

AbstractMarine clays of SE Norway lifted above sea-level have been subjected to weathering for 8500 years. As a result of this weathering a major part of the quartz, K-feldspar and plagioclase disappeared in the 0·2–0·6 µm fraction. Trioctahedral illite passed through the sequence: illite → mixed-layer illite-vermiculite → vermiculite → dissolution. This transformation started at a depth of 3 m, and the 2:1 layers dissolved in the upper part of the profile. Chlorite was broken down by weathering into finer particles. As a result, chlorite was first removed from the coarser fractions. Dioctahedral illite in the clay fractions passed through the following transformations in the upper part of the profile: illite → mixed-layer illite-vermiculite → vermiculite → chloritized vermiculite. Weathering models for the size fractions 0·2–0·6 and 0·2–2 µm showed that total amounts of dissolved material from these fractions in the upper part of the profile could be calculated as 55 and 38%, respectively. Dioctahedral 2:1 layers were most resistant to weathering, resulting in 75% dioctahedral phyllosilicates in the 0·2–0·6 µm fraction in the uppermost part of the profile, in contrast to 30% dioctahedral illite in the unweathered sample. This study illustrates the importance of investigating different fractions and not only material finer than 2 µm.


2012 ◽  
Vol 118 (11) ◽  
pp. 709-722 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shoichi Shimoyama ◽  
Hirohisa Matsuura ◽  
Kiyohide Mizuno ◽  
Masakazu Kubota ◽  
Takenori Hino ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Antti Lempinen

Compacted bentonite is the main candidate for buffer material in several plans for spent nuclear fuel repositories. One of its important properties is high swelling capacity, which is caused by interaction between water molecules and exchangeable cations. This interaction makes bentonite behave differently from capillary materials. In this article, a model for thermo-hydro-mechanical state of partially water saturated bentonite is presented. It couples the water retention and swelling properties with introduction of the swelling factor in effective strain. The Helmholz energy density determines the state with a relatively small set of independent parameters: swelling pressure, swelling factor, maximum confined water content and the reference state. The model parameters are determined from experimental data for FEBEX bentonite, and as a simple consistency check, confined suction curves are calculated and compared to test results. Consistency of the model with observations on nano- and microscale of bentonite is also discussed.


2014 ◽  
Vol 695 ◽  
pp. 93-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aminaton Marto ◽  
Nor Zurairahetty Mohd Yunus ◽  
Faizal Pakir ◽  
Nima Latifi ◽  
Ahmad Hakimi Mat Nor ◽  
...  

The presence of marine clay in Iskandar Malaysia Region, Nusajaya had caused expensive solutions in the construction of structures and roads. Alternatively, soil treatment is suggested to increase the strength of the unsuitable material to meet the constructions requirement for foundation and also to achieve the specifications for development work. In this study, a series of laboratory test has been conducted to determine the potential of Biomass Silica (BS), one of the commercial brands namely “SH-85” to stabilize marine clay to form the basis of a strong, reliable land for construction of roads and building. Testing program involves obtaining specimens of marine clays from various locations at Iskandar Malaysia Region, followed by laboratory tests to determine the Atterberg limits and Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) for treated and untreated of marine clay soils. The proportions of BS added were 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15% and tested at 0, 3, 7 and 28 days curing periods. The results shows that the Plasticity Index (PI) was reduce with increment of BS content. While, an addition of BS content increase in strength treated soils 60 times more than untreated soils, which is gain in early 7 curing days period. This finding indicates the BS is a suitable stabilizer for the marine clay to become strong foundation for construction of road and building.


1992 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 375-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Hanna ◽  
T. E. Little

The hydraulic structures of the proposed site C hydroelectric project in northeastern British Columbia would require deep excavations in Lower Cretaceous Shaftesbury shales. A significant stress relief would occur over most of the area to be occupied by the structures. Concerns about the magnitude and rate of time-dependent rebound and their impacts on project design, construction, and operation have been addressed. A review was made of several important case histories of other major projects constructed on Prairie shales. The properties of those shales were compared with the Shaftesbury shales. Long-term testing to establish the shale swelling characteristics was performed. Analyses were then made to evaluate potential elastic and time-dependent rebounds of the project area. A procedure for computing stress changes and time-dependent deformations due to the unloading effect of excavation followed by structural loading was developed. The procedure is useful in determining differential rebound that would occur in areas of steep topography or significant variations in the distribution of structural loads. Key words : rebound, shales, dam, swelling properties, swelling pressure, stress relief, deep excavations.


1971 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 434-445
Author(s):  
J. V. Danys

The deposit of marine clays in Lake St. Peter, Quebec, is as much as 300 ft (91 m) deep. Construction of lightpiers was started shortly after the turn of the century but settlement, tilting, and even failures of the structures occurred and construction of the new piers was not continued. As the navigation season is being extended into winter, the need for lightpiers becomes greater. Apart from the sensitive and very compressible clays, the heavy ice forces made a design very difficult. Introducing novel design features and applying the present knowledge of soil mechanics, two piers were designed and built in 1966 on 157 friction piles each, and two more in 1969. An advance field test of piles in situ was impractical as the structures were in the middle of the lake. Extensive boring and laboratory testing program preceded construction, and the shear strength data of the clay was used for the pile foundation design. Field pile testing confirmed the design assumptions.


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