Novel procedure for the estimation of swelling pressures of compacted bentonites based on diffuse double layer theory

Bentonite clays are proven to be attractive as buffer and backfill material in high-level nuclear waste repositories around the world. A quick estimation of swelling pressures of the compacted bentonites for different clay–water–electrolyte interactions is essential in the design of buffer and backfill materials. The theoretical studies on the swelling behavior of bentonites are based on diffuse double layer (DDL) theory. To establish theoretical relationship between void ratio and swelling pressure (e versus P), evaluation of elliptic integral and inverse analysis are unavoidable. In this paper, a novel procedure is presented to establish theoretical relationship of e versus P based on the Gouy–Chapman method. The proposed procedure establishes a unique relationship between electric potentials of interacting and non-interacting diffuse clay–water–electrolyte systems. A procedure is, thus, proposed to deduce the relation between swelling pressures and void ratio from the established relation between electric potentials. This approach is simple and alleviates the need for elliptic integral evaluation and also the inverse analysis. Further, application of the proposed approach to estimate swelling pressures of four compacted bentonites, for example, MX 80, Febex, Montigel and Kunigel V1, at different dry densities, shows that the method is very simple and predicts solutions with very good accuracy. Moreover, the proposed procedure provides continuous distributions of e versus P and thus it is computationally efficient when compared with the existing techniques.     

Numerical study of the electrical double-layer repulsion between non-parallel clay particles of finite length

The study presented herein concerns the double-layer repulsive force that exists between clay particles in a clay–water–electrolyte system. The objective is to examine the nature of the double-layer repulsive force between two negatively charged clay particles that are inclined to each other and have finite length. The finite element numerical technique is used first to determine the spatial distribution of the electric potential. The net repulsive force and its location are then evaluated from this known distribution of the potential on the basis of the theory of electrostatics. A systematic parametric study is performed by varying certain dimensionless system variables, particularly to investigate the effect of orientation, surface potential and particle length. It is found that for non-parallel orientation, as the value of inclination and surface potential increase, the repulsive force decreases and its location shifts towards the particle ends that are closer to each other.     

A method for predicting swelling pressure of compacted bentonites

An approach for predicting swelling pressure of bentonites based on thermodynamic relationships between swelling pressure and suction is presented in this paper. The proposed method requires sorption isotherm data of the bentonites. A series of swelling pressure tests were performed on compacted specimens of bentonite-sand mixtures with different bentonite contents, water contents, and dry densities. The sorption isotherm of the pure bentonite was measured using a chilled-mirror hygrometer. It is found that the method works well for the bentonite-sand mixtures tested. Several published data on bentonites that have been proposed to be used as buffer and sealing material for nuclear waste repository were collected and used to verify the method. The proposed method is found to be also applicable for other bentonites of different types and therefore, can be used to predict swelling pressure of bentonites.     

Analysis of influencing factors of clay particle diffusion in electric double layer北大核心CSCD

双电层结构对研究黏土力学特性、冻土水分迁移等具有重要意义。为了探究不同影响因素对黏土颗粒扩散双电层电势分布的影响,借鉴Gouy-Chapman-Stern双电层理论,基于Nernst-Planck方程和Poisson-Boltzmann方程,利用数值软件COMSOL定量分析了温度、浓度、颗粒尺寸、颗粒形状以及溶液相对介电常数对扩散双电层电势分布的影响规律。研究表明：温度对电势分布的影响不明显,但随着温度以及Stern层厚度增加,黏土颗粒表面电势和Stern电势均增加;而随着溶液浓度以及相对介电常数减小,表面电势值增加;在矿物成分、表面电荷密度以及颗粒形状确定的情况下,尺寸对于扩散双电层电势分布的影响不显著;但颗粒的不规则形状对电势分布的影响较为明显,当颗粒形状存在夹角时,夹角处的表面电势远大于其他位置,且夹角越小,夹角处表面电势值越大。     

Structure of sediments of kaolinite

In an assembly of clay particles placed in a fluid, each particle is typically subjected to: (1) double-layer repulsive forces; (2) van der Waals attractive forces; and (3) contact mechanical forces. The study presented here concerns an approximate, quantitative analysis of clay suspensions, with considerations to the first two - the physico-chemical forces. Using recent theories to calculate the physico-chemical forces between two clay particles in an approximate model of an assembly, the equilibrium void ratio of a clay suspension is computed. The mechanical forces are ignored in the analysis. The results serve to verify the validity of physico-chemical theories employed and help interpret experimental data more fundamentally in terms of the system variables.     

两种高庙子钠基膨润土膨胀特性比较研究

对两种高庙子钠基膨润土（简称GMZ001和GMZ07）在不同初始干密度下进行膨胀力试验、常压力下的膨胀变形试验以及压缩试验。试验结果表明,GMZ001的膨胀能力要比GMZ07的大,并且GMZ001比GMZ07更难压实。对饱和后两种膨润土进行压汞试验和扫描电子显微镜测试后发现,在相同孔隙比下,GMZ07集聚体间孔隙较多,并且GMZ001集聚体的水化程度大于GMZ07。结合土工和微观试验的结果,认为导致两者力学性能差异的主要原因是由于颗粒粒径大小的差异以及蒙脱石含量的不同。最后利用蒙脱石孔隙比的概念对两种膨润土的浸水膨胀试验结果进行归一化,并对膨润土的膨胀特性进行了预测。     

非饱和黏性土的电阻率特性及其试验研究

在讨论黏性土导电特性的基础上,假定非饱和黏性土中存在3种电流流通路径,针对已有的非饱和土电阻率结构模型存在的缺陷,推导了适用于非饱和黏性土的电阻率结构模型,探讨了土电阻率的主要影响因素,并将其归纳为3类。最后,通过对合肥膨胀土相关试验研究,分析了含水率、孔隙水电阻率、温度以及孔隙率对膨胀土的电阻率的影响特征,探讨了非饱和膨胀土的电阻率基本特性。     

上海黏土压缩指数和回弹指数经验关系

压缩指数Cc和回弹指数Cs是土力学中表征土体变形特性的两个重要参数指标,可通过室内一维固结试验获得。但是试验过程耗时长,因此,很多学者提出了压缩指数Cc与物理指标（尤其是液限wL、天然含水率wn、初始孔隙比e0和塑性指数Ip）的经验关系。通过对比国内外压缩指数经验关系,发现压缩指数与天然含水率和孔隙比关系离散性较小,分别给出了一个统一的经验关系。采用薄壁取土器从上海某一场地取得第②～⑥层土的原状土样进行固结试验,并搜集整理分析已有文献中的试验数据和上海69个场地的岩土勘察数据,给出了上海典型土层压缩指数Cc与wL、wn、e0、Ip的经验关系。同时发现,Cc/n0与Cc以及Cs/n0与Cs（n0为初始孔隙率）之间具有高度的线性关系,从而给出了基于初始孔隙率n0预测上海黏土压缩指数Cc和回弹指数Cs的经验关系。分析了压缩指数和回弹指数的关系,结果表明,上海正常固结黏土Cc/Cs分布在4.8～6.9之间,平均值约为5.8;超固结黏土Cc/Cs分布在3.3～5.2之间,平均值约为4.3。     

两种膨润土的土-水特征曲线

用滤纸法和压力板法对Kunigel-V1和高庙子两种膨润土进行试验研究,量测不同孔隙比情况下的土-水特征曲线,研究土-水特征曲线与孔隙比之间的关系以及两种膨润土的土-水特性。试验结果表明：用吸力与含水率的关系表示土-水特征曲线时,在吸力较大的情况下,孔隙比对土-水特征曲线的影响不大;用吸力与饱和度的关系表示土-水特征曲线时,土-水特征曲线随着孔隙比的减小向右上方移动,即在吸力一定的情况下,饱和度随着孔隙比的减小而增加,并且此变化接近于线性变化。另外,孔隙比相同时,Kunigel-V1和高庙子膨润土的土-水特征曲线比较接近,即两种膨润土的持水特性比较相近     

软土地基电渗固结理论分析与数值模拟

电渗固结是加速软土固结、提高地基承载力的有效技术。传统的电渗固结理论假设土体的物理力学、水力学和电学特性均匀稳定,其理论解答与试验结果差别较大。针对电渗固结处理过程,对土体位移场、渗流场和电场的耦合特征进行了理论分析,根据电荷守恒原理、水流连续原理和Biot固结理论,建立了电渗固结过程的多场耦合控制方程;考虑土体相关特性参数的非线性关系,开发了有限元软件用于分析电渗过程中电场强度、土体位移以及超静孔隙水压力的变化特征。计算结果与理论数据吻合较好,能够反映土体相关特性参数非线性关系对结果的影响。软件能够为电渗固结系统设计提供参考依据。     

扰动后黏土强度指标与细观参数相关性初探

受扰动后土体抗剪强度常发生衰减,从细观尺度探讨了黏土细观参数与动后强度指标的关系。发现扭剪和单剪对土体静强度影响显著,稳定后强度折减范围在20%～50%,但仍然高于重塑土静强度。随着扰动次数增加,黏聚力与内摩擦角均表现出前期迅速衰减,之后放缓并稳定的趋势。选取了5种典型细观参数进行分析,发现扭剪作用下,土体纵断面与横断面孔隙数增长率相近;单剪作用下,由于径向平面内不存在切应变,横断面的孔隙增长率将小于纵断面。随着细观土颗粒数的增加,黏聚力首先线性下降,之后稳定在较低水平;而内摩擦角未呈现收敛趋势。     

考虑幂函数渗透压缩变化的双层砂井地基固结性状

采用Barron轴对称固结及大变形固结问题的某些简化与假定,推导建立了砂井地基大变形固结控制方程,利用建立的双层砂井地基大变形固结方程及编制的计算程序,通过引入软土渗透系数、有效应力与孔隙比之间的幂函数关系k =ced与e=a( )b,对瞬时加载下双层砂井地基固结性状进行算例计算。结果表明：（1）双层软土幂函数渗透关系及压缩关系中诸参数对双层砂井地基固结性状有重要影响：随着两层软土幂函数渗透关系中参数c1、c2的增加（渗透性增加）、或幂函数压缩关系中参数a1、a2的增加,各土层水平径向与竖向孔隙比减小更快,沉降发展速率与超静孔压消散速率也相应增加,且沉降发展速率快于孔压消散速率。（2）两层土在分界面处的孔隙比及平均超静孔压均出现明显的突变,将沿深度分布曲线分成形状不同的两段,表现出不同的固结性状。     

循环荷载下人工结构性土变形与强度特性试验研究

针对长期动载作用下天然沉积结构性黏土地基强度和刚度循环软化问题,分别以水泥和食糖为模拟粒间胶结和大孔隙的材料,制备了不同胶结强度和初始孔隙比的人工结构性土,开展了人工结构性土与相应重塑土的动三轴试验,分析了土体胶结强度、初始孔隙比、围压和动应力幅值对累积变形和动强度的影响规律。试验结果表明：累积应变-振动次数曲线以临界循环应力为界分为：塑性安定型、临界型和破坏型;临界循环应力随胶结强度增大、初始孔隙比减小而增大;土体胶结强度越高,脆性破坏越明显,累积应变曲线转折点对应的应变越小。动强度的应变破坏标准采用转折点应变值更符合土性变化规律;动强度随胶结强度增大、初始孔隙比减小而增大;动黏聚力cd随破坏振次增大而降低,而动内摩擦角?d基本不变。试验结果可为软弱土地基动力灾变控制提供有益参考。     

Role of electrochemical reactions in pressure solution

Using a Surface Forces Apparatus we have measured changes in the electrical potential difference between quartz and mica surfaces that correlate with the changing quartz dissolution rate when surfaces are pressed together at relatively low pressures (2-3 atm) in aqueous electrolyte solutions of 30 mM CaCl₂ at 25 °C. No detectable dissolution or voltage potential difference is measured in symmetrical systems (e.g. mica-mica or quartz-quartz) or between dry surfaces subjected to similar pressures, indicating that the dissolution can not be attributed to a simple pressure effect, slow aging (creep), or plastic deformation of the quartz surface. In quartz-mica systems brought together under pressure or to close proximity in electrolyte solution, the onset of quartz dissolution is marked by a sudden, rapid decrease in the quartz thickness at initial rates in the range from 1 to 4 nm/min, which after several hours settles into a constant rate of approximately 0.01 nm/min (∼5 μm/yr). Concomitantly, the potential drops to a constant value once the dissolution rate has stabilized. The decrease in the decay rate is interpreted as being due to saturation of the confined aqueous film and/or to the buildup of a Stern layer on the quartz surface, and the constant rate as being due to the steady-state chemical dissolution and diffusion of the dissolving silica into the surrounding reservoir. The dissolution is ‘non-uniform’: the surfaces become rough as dissolution proceeds, with the appearance of pits in a manner analogous to corrosion. On occasions, the process of rapid dissolution followed by a gradual transition to steady dissolution repeats itself, suggesting that the pit structure and Stern layer are fragile and subject to collapse and/or expulsion from the gap. Preliminary experiments on the dissolution of multi-faceted milled quartz particles (∼1.0 μm diameter) compressed between two muscovite surfaces suggest an asymmetry in the dissolution rates at different crystallographic planes. The origin of the electrical potential is interpreted as arising from the overlapping of the electric double-layers of two dissimilar surfaces when they are forced into close proximity. This electrical potential difference, for as yet unknown reasons, appears to be the driving force for the dissolution, rather than pressure.     

Thermomechanical effects on adsorbed water in clays around a heat source

Numerical results of the simulations of the saturated clay response to a line heat source with a constant power output are presented and compared to the analytical solutions. Mixture theory of two interacting thermoelastic constituents is employed for the modelling. In this theory, mass transfer between the adsorbed water and bulk water is included to simulate the degeneration of adsorbed water into bulk water occurring at elevated temperatures. A finite difference method with non-uniform mesh is adopted to determine both the near- and far-field behaviour. The degeneration of adsorbed water into bulk water is more pronounced close to the heat source. This may produce a lower excess pore water pressure, a higher permeability increase, and accelerate the water flow in the vicinity of the heat source.     

鄂尔多斯盆地南缘晚奥陶世钾质斑脱岩——SHRIMP测年及其成因环境

鄂尔多斯盆地南缘上奥陶统金粟山组以深水碳酸盐岩沉积为特征,含多层桔黄色凝灰质粘土岩。矿物和化学成分分析表明,其主要由伊利石和伊蒙混层粘土矿物组成,含少量石英、长石和锆石等中酸性岩浆矿物,富K2O,属钾质斑脱岩;微量元素分析显示本区斑脱岩的源岩为中酸性岩浆成因,源于同碰撞火山弧构造环境。应用SHRIMP技术对其中的锆石进行了U-Pb测年,取得了(451.5±4.9)～(452.1±5.1)Ma、(457.5±5.1)Ma和(465.8±8.3)Ma 3组谐合年龄,前两者分别与欧美广布的Millbrig-Kinnekulle和Deicke斑脱岩同时,但15种化学组分的多元统计分析显示,金粟山组的斑脱岩与欧美同期著名的斑脱岩可能并不同源。形成本区斑脱岩的火山凝灰质可能源自沿商丹洋盆北缘展布的火山弧喷发,而鄂尔多斯盆地南缘晚奥陶世发生的强烈沉降和沉积转换可能与北秦岭弧后盆地的拉伸与扩张密切相关。     

南京地区土体热导率性质测试与分析

通过对南京地区大量粘土和粉质粘土样品热导率值的测试,分析了土体热导率与其含水量、孔隙比的相关关系。对影响土体导热值的因素作了详细分析,提出了根据土体含水量、孔隙比值计算土体热导率的经验计算公式。     

Study on the swelling behaviour of blended clay–sand soils

Soils containing expansive clays undergo swelling that can be both detrimental and beneficial in various applications. In the Arabian Gulf coastal region, natural heterogeneous soils containing clay and sand (tills, shales, and clayey sands) support most of the civil infrastructure systems. Likewise, mixes of clay and sand are used for local earthwork construction such as roads and landfills. A clear understanding of the swelling behaviour of such soils is pivotal at the outset of all construction projects. The main objective of this paper was to understand the evolution of swelling with increasing clay content in local soils. A theoretical framework for clay–sand soils was developed using phase relationships. Laboratory investigations comprised of mineralogical composition and geotechnical index properties of the clay and sand and consistency limits, swelling potential, and morphology of clay–sand mixes. Results indicated that soil consistency of mixes of a local expansive clay and an engineered sand depends on the weighted average of the constituents. Mixes with 10% clay through 40% clay capture the transition from a sand-like behaviour to a clay-like behaviour. Influenced by the initial conditions and soil matrix, the swelling potential of the investigated mixes correlated well with soil plasticity (SP(%) = 0.16 (I _p)^1.188). The parameters sand void ratio and clay–water ratio were found to better explain the behaviour of blended clay–sand soils.     

苏通大桥地基中深厚软土电阻率试验研究

通过室内电阻率试验和土工试验,对长江下游苏州-南通长江公路大桥地基中深厚软土电阻率特征及其与物理力学参数的相关关系问题进行了研究。发现,（1）在同一钻孔（即CZK30）中,从粉质黏土→粉砂→细砂→中粗砂,土样的电阻率逐渐增大。电阻率随含水率、孔隙比、饱和度的增加而减小,而随垂直渗透系数、水平渗透系数、压缩模量、标贯等的增加而增大。（2）CZK30孔中粉质黏土电阻率随含水率、孔隙比、饱和度、压缩系数、液限系数增加而减小,而随压缩模量、黏聚力等的增加而增大。（3）通过拟合,提供了软土电阻率与物理力学参数相关关系的量化表达式,拟合曲线与试验数据点的相关程度较高,相关系数绝大部分在0.88以上。结果表明,土电阻率与其它物理力学参数间存在密切的联系。     

Thermomechanical model of hydration swelling in smectitic clays: I two-scale mixture-theory approach

A thermomechanical theory of hydration swelling in smectitic clays is proposed. The clay is treated as a three-scale swelling system wherein macroscopic governing equations are derived by upscaling the microstructure. At the microscale the model has two phases, the disjoint clay platelets and adsorbed water (water between the platelets). At the intermediate (meso) scale (the homogenized microscale) the model consists of clay particles (adsorbed water plus clay platelets) and bulk water. At the macroscale the medium is treated as an homogenized swelling mixture of clay particles and bulk-phase water with thermodynamic properties defined everywhere within the macroscopic body. In Part I, the mesoscopic model governing the swelling of the clay particles is derived using a mixture-theoretic approach and the Coleman and Noll method of exploitation of the entropy inequality. Application of this procedure leads to two-scale governing equations which generalize the classical thermoelastic consolidation model of non-swelling media, as they exhibit additional physico-chemical and viscous-type terms accounting for hydration stresses between the adsorbed fluid and the clay minerals. In Part II the two-scale model is applied to a bentonitic clay used for engineered barrier of nuclear waste repository. The clay buffer is assumed to have monomodal character with most of the water essentially adsorbed. Further, partial results toward a three-scale thermomechanical macroscopic model including the bulk phase next to the swelling particles are derived by homogenizing the two-scale model with the bulk water. A notable consequence of this three-scale approach is that it provides a rational basis for the appearance of a generalized inter-phase mass transfer between adsorbed and bulk water. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.