Search results for "Void ratio"

Water retention and swelling behaviour of granular bentonites for application in Geosynthetic Clay Liner (GCL) systems

2016

Geosynthetic Clay Liner (GCL) systems are used as efficient hydraulic barriers in landfills for the disposal of hazardous municipal wastes. Along with geotextiles, bentonite materials are chosen as one of the primary components of GCLs due to their high retention, adsorption, and swelling capacities. GCLs are manufactured using bentonites at a high total suction and hydrated through the uptake of liquid from the subsoil and the confined material as soon as they are installed. Bentonites may exhibit considerable volume change upon wetting. Depending on the confinement stress, the void ratio may significantly increase with a decrease in suction, particularly at higher degrees of saturation. T…

One dimensional consolidation of Opalinus Clay from shallow depth

2017

First experimental results on Opalinus Clay from shallow depth (< 30 m depth) are presented and compared to results on cores from Mont Terri Underground Rock Laboratory (~ 300 m depth). Samples were tested in one dimensional condition using an advanced experimental technique. The samples from the two sites show similar properties in terms of geotechnical characterization and one dimensional compressibility/swelling indexes, despite the different source depths.

Reliability Analysis of a Controlled Stage-Constructed and Reinforced Embankment on Soft Ground Using 2D and 3D Models

2020

Geosynthetic reinforcement has become a very practical technique to improve geotechnical structure safety. In spite of improved soil behavior, structures are affected by uncertainties related to soil and reinforcement material properties. This paper aims to present a reliability analysis in order to take statistical information (uncertainties) into account in a safety analysis of reinforced embankments. The analysis was used in a case study on a controlled stage-constructed embankment on soft ground in order to investigate its probabilistic stability. Modeling was performed by commercial geotechnical software usage (GeoStudio and RocScience packs, SIGMA/W+SLOPE/W and SLIDE³, respectively) a…

Water retention behaviour of compacted and reconstituted scaly clays

2020

The paper presents the results of an experimental research devoted to investigate the response to suction variations of a scaly clay in compacted and reconstituted conditions. Different experimental techniques (axis translation, vapour equilibrium, dew point psychrometer suction measurements) were combined in order to explore the water retention properties in a wide suction range (0 ÷ 110 MPa). Experimental results allowed to define the water retention domains for a constant reference void ratio, highlighting the significant role of the microstructure on the response of the investigated clays. In particular, the collected results showed that in the low-medium suction range, the peculiar mic…

1D Compression Behaviour of Opalinus Clay

2017

One of the main concerns related to tunnel excavations, drilling operations and wellbore stability in shales is the generation of excess pore water pressure due to changes in mechanical stress; therefore the consolidation of shales is a fundamental process that must be considered. This paper presents a compre- hensive methodology for analysing the compression and consolidation behaviour of shales. An apparatus to perform high-pressure oedometric tests is presented and an analytical method is introduced to analyse the shale consolidation behaviour, which allows information to be gathered on the coeffi cient of consolidation, stiffness, poroelastic properties, and permeability of the tested m…

The void ratio dependency of the retention behaviour for a compacted scaly clay

2010

Volumetric Behaviour of Lime Treated High Plasticity Clay Subjected to Suction Controlled Drying and Wetting Cycles

2017

The paper presents some experimental results collected on samples recovered from an experimental embankment obtained by compacting a lime-treated clay. Samples were collected soon after the in situ compaction and they were cured in controlled environmental conditions for at least 18 months. Mercury intrusion porosimetry tests (MIP) were carried out on freeze-dried specimens to characterize the microstructure of the material. In order to assess the durability of the improved material, laboratory tests focused on the effects of cyclic variations of the degree of saturation on the water retention properties and the volumetric behaviour of the stabilized clay. Collected results show that the li…

Modelling the Water Retention Domain of a Compacted Scaly Clay

2012

A body of experimental data on the water retention behaviour of compacted samples of an Italian scaly clay is analysed. The mechanical and the hydraulic behaviour of compacted samples of this clay are governed by multi-scale arrangement of scales and aggregates, which characterises the compacted clay fabric. At least two different pore networks, namely intra-aggregate and inter-aggregate, may be identified, which interact one with the other along coupled hydro-mechanical paths. The retention behaviour is interpreted in the framework of a comprehensive multi-scale modelling approach recently proposed for compacted clays of low and medium activity, which proves to be able to account for the i…

Shear Strength of a Compacted Scaly Clay from Suction-Controlled Triaxial Tests

2012

The paper presents the results of an experimental research aimed at investigating the shear strength characteristics of an unsaturated compacted scaly clay. Shear strength was investigated by suction-controlled triaxial compression tests on dynamically compacted samples. Collected results point out that suction effects on stiffness and shear strength can be very different for suction values applied lower or greater than air entry value (AEV), corresponding to the material void ratio.

Advances in the Testing of the Hydro-mechanical Behaviour of Shales

2013

The paper presents some of the advanced experimental techniques and apparatuses that have been developed by the authors for testing the hydromechanical behaviour of shales. A methodology established for the analysis of the water retention behaviour in non-isochoric conditions is introduced; the method allows for the determination of the main drying and wetting paths in addition to the volume change response upon total suction variations. A high-pressure oedometric cell is then presented; the apparatus allows for the analysis of the transition from the pre-yield behaviour to the normally consolidated state. The analysis of the settlement versus time curves yields information on the permeabil…