Influence of wetting–drying cycles on swell–shrink behaviour of GPA-reinforced expansive clay beds

ABSTRACT

Granular pile-anchor (GPA) technique is an innovative tension-resistant foundation technique which can effectively ward off the dual swell–shrink problem posed by expansive clays. The other tension-resistant foundation techniques are drilled piers, belled piers and under-reamed piles. Laboratory scale model studies and field scale experiments on GPAs revealed that swelling of expansive clay beds could be effectively controlled by GPA technique. This paper presents results obtained from laboratory scale model studies on GPA-reinforced expansive clay beds subjected to alternate cycles of wetting and drying. Swelling and shrinkage of the clay beds were monitored for three wetting–drying cycles (N) spanning a time period of 300 days. The clay beds were reinforced with varying number of GPAs (n = 0, 1, 2 and 3). Swelling (mm) and shrinkage (mm) of the clay beds in a given wetting–drying cycle decreased with increasing number of GPAs. Further, swelling (mm) and shrinkage (mm) significantly decreased with increasing number of wetting–drying cycles (N) also. For a given number of GPAs (n), swelling and shrinkage decreased with increase in depth from the top of the clay bed too.     

Determination of Swelling and Shrinkage Properties of Undisturbed Expansive Soils

Expansive soils exhibit large volume changes when their water content changes. Alternate heave and settlement due to seasonal climatic variations result in distress and damage in civil infrastructure systems. This research focuses on the understanding of swelling and shrinkage phenomenon in the surface layer of expansive soils. Undisturbed field samples were used to capture the effect of in situ conditions (geologically induced fissuring and environmentally caused saturation) on volume change properties of Regina clay. Based on laboratory investigations, the swelling potential and swelling pressure of the native clay at S = 82% were found to be 1.5% and 3.5 kPa, respectively. The swell-shrink path during progressive soil drying followed an S-shaped curve comprising of an initial low structural shrinkage followed by a sharp decline during normal shrinkage and then by a low decrease during residual shrinkage. The soil microstructure correlated well with the observed volume change behaviour as well as with the consistency limits. The presence of fissures in field samples at various degrees of saturation confirmed that the investigated deposit is at an equilibrium condition with respect to the swell-shrink phenomenon. The swelling properties at any initial saturation state were estimated using the free swelling test and the swell-shrink test data in conjunction. The swelling potential increased 12 times (from 2 to 24%) and the swelling pressure increased by two orders of magnitude (from 27 to 2500 kPa) with a change in the degree of saturation from 80% (at the plastic limit) to 60% (at the shrinkage limit).     

Swell-compressibility characteristics of lime-blended and cement-blended expansive clays – A comparative study

Chemical stabilisation of expansive soils has been quite efficacious in reducing swelling characteristics, namely, swell potential (S%) and swelling pressure (p_s). When chemicals such as lime and cement are added to an expansive clay, flocculation and cementation take place. Flocculation, which is an immediate reaction, is instrumental in reducing plasticity and swell potential significantly. It also reduces the time required for equilibrium heave. This paper presents experimental data on lime-blended and cement-blended expansive clay specimens. Free swell index (FSI), heave, rate of heave and swelling pressure were studied. FSI, heave and rate of heave decreased with increasing lime content and cement content in the blends. But, during a 3-day inundation (a period, generally allowed for the sample to attain to equilibrium heave), cementitious products developed and resisted the applied compressive loads stiffly, resulting in high swelling pressures in the case of lime-blended specimens. Swelling pressure could not be determined in the case of cement-blended specimens. Hence, short inundation tests (inundating the specimens only for 15 minutes) were performed. But, even from these tests, swelling pressure could not be determined for cement-blended specimens. This indicated the development of strong cementitious products in them. It was interesting to find that, in both long and short duration, the lime- and cement-blended specimens attained to equilibrium heave in the same time period. FSI decreased from 185% to 63.63% when lime content was increased from 0% to 4%, and from 185% to 110% when cement content was increased from 0% to 20%. Swell potential reduced by 42.5% at 4% lime and by 46.4% at 20% cement. Swelling pressure increased from 210 kPa to 320 kPa when lime content was increased from 0% to 4%. Linear shrinkage of the specimens also decreased with increasing additive content.     

Efficacy of Cement-stabilized Fly Ash Cushion in Arresting Heave of Expansive Soils

Expansive clays swell and shrink seasonally when subjected to changes in the moisture regime causing substantial distress to the structures built in them. Techniques like sand cushion and cohesive non-swelling soil (CNS) layer have been tried to arrest heave and consequent damages to structures. Sand cushion has been proved to be counter-productive. Studies have indicated that even though CNS layer was effective initially, it became less effective after the first cycle of swelling and shrinkage. Research carried out by the authors, using cement-stabilized fly ash as a cushioning material, has shown that it was quite effective in arresting heave. Fly ash cushion, stabilized with 10% cement with thickness equal to that of the expansive soil bed reduces heave by about 75% in the first instance. With subsequent swell-shrink cycles, the performance further improves, unlike in the case of a black cotton soil provided with a CNS cushion. At the end of fourth cycle of swelling, the reduction in the amount of heave is as high as 99.1%.     

The impact of natural ornamental limestone dust on swelling characteristics of high expansive soils

Expansive soils are considered as a potential natural hazard if they are not adequately treated. Expansive soils have high potential for shrinking and swelling under changing moisture conditions and cause extensive damages to engineering infrastructures. This study is concerned with the suitability of natural ornamental limestone dust to reduce the swelling characteristics of high expansive soils. The results are revealed that the swelling pressure and percent of heave are greatly decreased with increasing the inserted core diameters and mixing percentages of limestone dust. The average reduction percent values of swelling pressure and percent of heave are increased from 2.21% to 43.09% and from 2.56% to 45.64%, respectively, for treated soil samples with increase in limestone dust core diameters from 5 mm to 20 mm (1% to 16% of total soil area). The average reduction percent values of swelling pressure and heave percent are increased from 10.29% to 70.73% and from 22.29% to 82.90%, respectively, for treated soil samples with increase in limestone dust mixing percentages from 10% to 30%. The results are revealed that the enhancement in swelling characteristics of high expansive soils that are treated by ornamental limestone dust is mostly attributed to the replacement of high expansive fine clay particles by non-expansive and non-plastic coarse limestone dust particles, and to the presence of a considerable amount of free lime in limestone dust (4.97% as [Ca(OH)₂]) that is responsible for converting the high expansive soils to less expansive soils by pozzolanic reaction. The mixing treatment method is more suitable for surficial and shallow foundation high expansive soil beds, while the compacted limestone dust piles “inserted limestone dust core method” are more suitable for deep foundation high expansive soil beds.     

Heave Studies on Fly Ash-Stabilised Expansive Clay Liners

Clay liners or compacted earthen barriers are important barrier materials used for preventing contaminant transport through soils. A low hydraulic conductivity (k) is a significant parameter that governs the design and construction of clay liners. Compacted expansive clays, which are montmorillonite clays, also have a very low hydraulic conductivity (k). When expansive clays are blended with fly ash, an industrial waste, the hydraulic conductivity (k) further reduces as the ash-clay blends result in increased dry densities at increased fly ash contents. Hence, fly ash-stabilised expansive clay can also be proposed as a unique clay liner material. As expansive clays undergo heave when they come into contact with water, it is necessary to study the heave behaviour of fly ash-stabilised expansive clay liners. This paper presents heave studies on fly ash-stabilised expansive clay liners. Fly ash in different contents by dry weight of the expansive clay was added to the clay, and the ash-clay blend was compacted as a liner overlying a natural field soil layer. Compacted lateritic clay was used for simulating the natural field soil into which contaminants migrate. Calcium chloride (CaCl₂) solution of varying concentration (5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500 mM) was used as the permeating fluid in the heave studies. The rate of heave and the amount of heave of the fly ash-stabilised expansive clay liners were monitored. Deionised water (DIW) was also used as inundating fluid for comparative study. Heave (mm) decreased with increase in solute concentration for all fly ash contents. For a given solute concentration, heave decreased up to a fly ash content of 20 % and thereafter it increased when the fly ash content was increased to 30 %. Heave of the fly ash-stabilised expansive clay liners was correlated with their permeability, liquid limit (LL) and free swell index (FSI) pertaining to the respective fly ash content and CaCl₂ concentration.     

卢氏膨胀岩在干湿循环作用下的胀缩特性研究

为研究卢氏膨胀岩的胀缩特性,开展了干湿循环作用下膨胀岩的胀缩特性试验研究,并在膨胀岩经历干湿循环后利用扫描电子显微镜（SEM）和氮吸附试验（NA）,从微观的角度分析了膨胀岩吸水膨胀失水收缩的现象,并解释了胀缩特性改变的原因。研究结果表明：卢氏膨胀岩膨胀率随干湿循环次数增加而增大,绝对膨胀率增加25%;收缩曲线出现明显的“收缩拐点”,一般在收缩总时间的20%时出现,这时膨胀岩失水状态由自由水的散失转变为结合水的散失;在膨胀岩第1次胀缩过程中出现裂缝,裂缝为贯通状;在之后的胀缩过程中出现的裂缝较浅且随干湿循环次数的增加裂缝发育逐渐稳定;在干湿循环次数达到6～8次后,卢氏膨胀岩胀缩率达到稳定值,绝对膨胀率稳定在17%,绝对收缩率稳定在9%;微观方面随干湿循环次数的增加,膨胀岩的微观结构中黏土颗粒聚集形态由紧密状态转变为松散状态。此外,试样的孔隙特征随干湿循环次数的增加表现出孔隙总体积逐渐增大、孔径逐渐减小、比表面积逐渐增大的规律。     

膨胀土判别与分类方法探讨

膨胀土的胀缩等级评判是进行膨胀土处治的首要任务,开展膨胀土的判别与分类方法探讨具有重要意义。对现有膨胀土判别与分类方法进行了评价,对反映和表征膨胀土胀缩机理和特性的指标进行了深入探讨,提出了以能充分反映和表征膨胀土胀缩机理和特性的液限、塑性指数、自由膨胀率、小于0.005 mm颗粒含量、胀缩总率等5个指标作为膨胀土的判别指标,建立了一种新的膨胀土判别与分类方法,并通过试验进行了验证。新的膨胀土判别与分类方法具有准确度高、易操作的优点。     

Silica fume stabilization of an expansive clay subgrade and the effect of silica fume-stabilised soil cushion on its CBR

ABSTRACT

Expansive soil subgrades, which are subjected to dual swell-shrink problem consequent upon absorption and evaporation of water, need to be improved by chemical stabilization or compacted cushion or geosynthetic reinforcement in order that pavements constructed over them are even, stable and safe. This paper presents extensive experimental data on plasticity, free swell index (FSI) and compaction characteristics of a highly swelling expansive clay stabilized with varying silica fume contents. In another series of tests on a laterite soil to be used as a cushion over the expansive clay subgrade, plasticity properties, compaction characteristics and strength characteristics were determined at varied silica fume contents. Further, CBR of the expansive clay subgrade was determined in the laboratory stabilizing it with varied silica fume contents and providing a cushion of 50 mm thickness of silica fume-stabilized lateritic soil. Liquid limit (LL), plasticity index (PI) and free swell index (FSI) of the expansive clay decreased with increasing silica fume contents. The compaction and strength characteristics of both the soils improved with silica fume stabilization. The CBR of the expansive clay provided with silica fume-stabilized cushion improved significantly.     

Reduction of Expansive Index,Swelling and Compression Behavior of Kaolinite and Bentonite Clay with Sand and Class C Fly Ash

Swelling behavior of expansive soil has always created problems in the field of geotechnical engineering. Generally, the method used to assess the swelling potential of expansive soil from its plasticity index, shrinkage limit and colloidal content. Alternative way to evaluate swelling behavior is from its expansive index (EI) and swelling pressure value. The present study investigates the reduction of EI and swelling pressure for kaolinite and bentonite clay when mixed with various percentages of Ottawa sand and Class C fly ash. The percentages of Ottawa sand and Class C fly ash used were 0–50 % by weight. The results show that there is a significant reduction in the swelling properties of expansive soil with the addition of Ottawa sand and Class C fly ash. The reduction in EI ranged approximately from 10 to 50 and 4 to 49 % for kaolinite and bentonite clay, respectively. Also the maximum swelling pressure of kaolinite and bentonite clay decreased approximately 93 and 64 %, respectively with the addition of various percentages of Ottawa sand and Class C fly ash. Standard index properties test viz., liquid limit, plastic limit and linear shrinkage test were conducted to see the characteristics of expansive soil when mixed with less expansive sand and fly ash. Also, for these expansive soils one dimensional consolidation test have been conducted with sand and fly ash mixtures and the results were compared with pure kaolinite and bentonite clay.     

基于收缩试验的膨胀土地基变形预测方法

进行膨胀土的三相收缩试验,确定了广西膨胀土的体积收缩指数。对依托工程膨胀土进行了现场静力触探试验,根据比贯入阻力随深度的变化曲线特征,确定了膨胀土活动区深度,给出了膨胀土裂隙开展深度的理论解,膨胀土裂隙开展深度的计算值与静力触探试验确定的膨胀土活动区深度和现场观测的裂隙开展深度基本一致。最后介绍了基于三相收缩试验基础上的膨胀土地基变形计算方法,并在试验基础上给出了膨胀土地基变形计算模式和计算结果。以膨胀土地基变形量作为膨胀土地基的分类指标,对膨胀土地基进行了分类,对膨胀土基础选型具有重要意义。     

Cyclic Swell–Shrink Behaviour of a Compacted Expansive Soil

Laboratory cyclic swell–shrink tests were carried out on compacted expansive soil specimens to study in detail the effect of changes in shrinkage pattern on the swell–shrink behaviour of compacted expansive soils. Compacted soil specimens were allowed to swell and either shrank fully or partially shrank to several predetermined heights in each cycle. The tests were carried out at a surcharge pressure of 50 kPa. The test results revealed that shrinkage of compacted saturated soil specimens to predetermined height in each shrinkage cycle provides similar conditions as that of the controlled suction tests with an increasing number of swell–shrink cycles. The water content of soil specimens and hence soil suction was found to remain nearly constant for each pattern of shrinkage. For soil specimens equilibrated to a given swell–shrink pattern, suction at the end of shrinkage cycles was changed from a higher suction to a lower suction, and also from a lower to a higher suction. The experimental results showed that there may be an immediate equilibrium state attained by the soil in terms of swell–shrink potential if suction at the shrinkage cycles was less than the past suction; otherwise, the equilibrium state was accompanied by fatigue of swelling. The volumetric deformation of the soil specimen subjected greater shrinkage was found to be much larger than the corresponding vertical deformation. The compressibility index of microstructure, κ_m, was determined for several shrinkage patterns. It is shown that κ_m is heavily influenced by suction at the end of shrinkage cycles.     

膨胀土胀缩变形规律与灾害机制研究

采用普通固结仪和收缩仪分别进行蒙自重塑膨胀土浸水膨胀变形试验和膨胀土失水收缩变形试验,系统地研究了不同初始状态下膨胀土胀缩变形规律与致灾机制,并应用Does Response模型,定量模拟了膨胀土胀缩时程规律。研究表明,蒙自膨胀土胀缩变形差异较大,一般吸水膨胀率远大于失水收缩率,相似状态下试样膨胀系数越大,收缩系数亦越大,表现出较强的各向异性;膨胀土含有的大量细小黏土颗粒与较强的蒙脱石晶体矿物及显著的微结构特征,是其产生强烈胀缩变形灾害的内因与本质,而土中发育的微孔隙-裂隙结构及其初始状态,是发生胀缩变形灾害的外因。     

冻融循环下加筋膨胀土边坡稳定性模型试验

控制边坡在冻融循环中的劣化作用,可保障季节冻土区域膨胀土边坡长期稳定。为确定土工格栅对膨胀土边坡在冻融循环过程中的稳定效果与工程意义,本文开展了膨胀土边坡模型试验,对比冻融过程中边坡内土压力、含水率、位移、温度变化。结果表明：土工格栅可约束膨胀土冻融裂缝,使裂缝发育更为均匀一致,同时减小边坡位移;加筋材料能抑制边坡水分迁移与热传导并减小土压力变化;对膨胀土边坡加筋处理可显著降低含水率波动幅值,从而减小膨胀土受含水率变化引发的胀缩劣化;不同于普通黏土,膨胀土边坡冻融循环中呈现冻缩融胀特点,而边坡加筋可有效提升冻土区膨胀土边坡的冻融稳定性,具有工程应用价值。     

Expansive bentonite-sand mixtures in cyclic controlled-suction drying and wetting

Expansive clay buffers in radioactive waste disposal designs experience cyclic drying and wetting paths during different stages of their design life. Clayey soils subjected to these processes develop swelling and shrinkage deformations, which give rise to the accumulation of compression or expansion strains during suction cycles. Experimental studies were undertaken using oedometer tests on an artificially prepared bentonite-sand mixture (80% bentonite by dry mass). In order to study these processes and to identify the most important features controlling soil behaviour, several wetting-drying cycles with suctions ranging between 130 and 4 MPa were applied using vapour equilibrium technique and covering a wide range of overconsolidation ratios (OCR). The tested samples showed cumulative shrinkage strains along the successive cycles, which became more significant at increasing vertical net stresses (low OCR values). However, no accumulation of expansion strains was detected at elevated OCR values. Test results were interpreted and predicted within the context of an elastoplastic model proposed by Alonso et al., 1999, [Alonso, E.E., Vaunat, J., Gens, A., (1999). Modelling the mechanical behaviour of expansive clays. Engineering Geology, 54, 173-183.] which takes into account the accumulation of strains. A good correspondence between measured soil response and model predictions was observed. The paper also presents the methodology to derive the constitutive parameters.     

Modeling of the swelling–shrinkage behavior of expansive clays during wetting–drying cycles

Acta Geotechnica - This paper presents a constitutive model for simulating the swelling–shrinkage volume change of expansive soils during wetting–drying cycles. Based on the concept of...     

Influence of suction cycles on the soil fabric of compacted swelling soil

The soil fabric plays an important role in complex hydromechanical behaviour of the expansive soils. This article addresses the influence of the wetting and drying paths on the soil fabric of compacted bentonite and silt mixtures at two different initial dry densities corresponding to loose and dense states. To obtain the hydric response of the soil, two suction imposition techniques were used: osmotic technique for the suction range less than 8.5 MPa and the vapour equilibrium or the salt solution technique for the suction range between 8.5 and 287.9 MPa. Additionally, the soil fabric analysis was performed using mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) and nitrogen gas adsorption (BET) techniques. The dense samples produced cumulative swelling strains during the suction cycles, while shrinkage was observed for the loose samples. The suction cycles induced an equilibrium state indicative of the elastic behaviour of the samples. The soil fabric analysis showed that regardless of the soil's initial state (loose or dense), the samples obtained the same soil fabric at the equilibrium state. The experimental results illustrated also the existence of an elastic void ratio (e_0el) where the compacted soils at this state present an elastic hydric behaviour during the successive suction cycles.     

基于粗糙集的膨胀土分级指标重要性分析

现行的膨胀土分级指标相互之间存在一定的关联,具有不同的重要性。提出了运用粗糙集理论完善和优化膨胀土胀缩指标体系的分析方法,通过计算膨胀土评判指标与评判结果的粗糙依赖度来确定评价指标的重要性。计算结果表明,自由膨胀率、膨胀力、50 kPa压力下的膨胀率和胀缩总率4个指标中,自由膨胀率是评判膨胀土胀缩等级的1个最重要的指标,膨胀力、50 kPa压力下的膨胀率和胀缩总率的重要性依次降低。所提出的分析方法为优化与改进膨胀土胀缩等级评判指标体系提供了合理而有效的依据。     

离子土壤固化剂改性膨胀土的试验研究

利用离子土壤固化剂（ionic soil stabilizer,简称ISS）对河南安阳地区膨胀土进行化学改性试验研究,通过不同配比的自由膨胀率试验结果,结合施工成本,得出ISS溶液改良膨胀土的最优配合比为1:350。对ISS溶液最优配合比改性后土体进行收缩试验、膨胀性试验、固结快剪、高压固结及水浸泡试验。试验结果表明,改性土线缩率减小,膨胀性指标降低,抗剪强度增大,土体由亲水性变成憎水性,且能达到较好的水稳定性,即膨胀土经化学改性为非膨胀土。ISS改性膨胀土的机制可解释为,通过ISS溶液与土粒离子进行强烈的交换作用,打开土粒与水分子之间的“电化键”,降低土颗粒表面吸附水膜厚度,包裹在黏粒颗粒表面的疏水基团覆盖膜使土对水的敏感性减弱,从根本上减少了土体吸水性和膨胀性。     

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.