Evolution of anisotropy with saturation and its implications for the elastoplastic responses of clay rocks

Many clay rocks have distinct bedding planes. Experimental studies have shown that their mechanical properties evolve with the degree of saturation (DOS), often with higher stiffness and strength after drying. For transversely isotropic rocks, the effects of saturation can differ between the bed-normal (BN) and bed-parallel (BP) directions, which gives rise to saturation-dependent stiffness and strength anisotropy. Accurate prediction of the mechanical behavior of clay rocks under partially saturated conditions requires numerical models that can capture the evolving elastic and plastic anisotropy with DOS. In this study, we present an anisotropy framework for coupled solid deformation-fluid flow in unsaturated elastoplastic media. We incorporate saturation-dependent strength anisotropy into an anisotropic modified Cam-Clay (MCC) model and consider the evolving anisotropy in both the elastic and plastic responses. The model was calibrated using experimental data from triaxial tests to demonstrate its capability in capturing strength anisotropy at various levels of saturation. Through numerical simulations, we demonstrate the role of evolving stiffness and strength anisotropy in the mechanical behavior of clay rocks. Plane strain simulations of triaxial compression tests were also conducted to demonstrate the impacts of material anisotropy and DOS on the mechanical and fluid flow responses.     

A proposed analysis of saturation-dependent anisotropy for US Department of Energy (DOE) Hanford site soils

Technetium (⁹⁹Tc) spreads predominantly laterally through US Department of Energy Hanford site sediments. Lateral transport implies that at higher tensions, h, in the unsaturated zone, the effective hydraulic conductivity, K, may be strongly anisotropic. A modeling procedure has been developed to predict characteristics of the Tc plumes. The procedure consists of: (1) Adapting existing numerical techniques based on critical path analysis to calculate K(h), (2) Statistically correlating predicted K at various h values with texture, (3) Seeking value of h, for which anisotropy and horizontal K values are both sufficiently large to accommodate multi-kilometer horizontal spreading, (4) Predicting the distribution of K values for vertical flow as a function of system support volume, (5) Comparing the largest likely K value in the vertical direction with the expected K in the horizontal direction, (6) Finding the length scale at which the two K values are roughly equal, and (7) Comparing that length scale with horizontal spreading of the plume. Predictions of the typical value of h at which spreading is occurring compares well with inference. However, the length scale at which Tc transport in the unsaturated zone changes from predominantly horizontal to more nearly vertical appears underestimated.     

干湿循环作用下红黏土收缩特征研究

以贵州某高速公路沿线红黏土为研究对象,开展了干湿循环作用后红黏土的收缩特性试验研究,探讨了干湿循环次数和初始含水率对红黏土收缩性状的影响.试验结果表明：同一循环次数内,各试样的环向收缩率在6～8 h时达到稳定,而轴向线缩率则需更长的稳定时间;随着初始含水率增加,各试样的初始轴向线缩率减小,而初始环向收缩率增加;28%含水率试样具有相近的最终轴向变形和环向变形量,而34%含水率的试样环向变形量高于轴向变形量;初始含水率变化不大,但体缩率的变化率却明显不同,说明干湿循环过程使得土体内部结构变得不稳定,但颗粒间相互作用的本质未发生明显变化;干湿循环作用对重塑红黏土最优含水率位置的基本无影响,这说明其未能改变黏土集聚体内对结合水的最大吸附能力.通过压汞试验得到了不同干湿循环作用后试样的孔隙分布情况,随着干湿循环次数的增加小孔径尺寸和分布密度改变较小,而大孔径尺寸减小,分布密度也在减小.干湿循环作用对聚集体内孔径的影响大于对微聚体内孔隙影响,与所测得的宏观收缩规律相吻合.     

Constitutive modeling of the destructuration and anisotropy of natural soft clay

The mechanical behavior of natural clays is affected by their inherent anisotropy and metastable soil structure. A simple hierarchical model that considers initial anisotropy and destructuration was formulated within the framework of critical state soil mechanics. In the proposed model, stress sensitivity and a destructuration index were introduced to account for the degree of bonding and the rate of destructuration, respectively. An inclined yield surface was used to incorporate the effect of the initial anisotropy. The proposed model can be degenerated to the Modified Cam Clay model by setting the initial stress sensitivity equal to unity and using a horizontal yield surface. Reasonable agreement between the model simulations and the experimental results on a variety of stress paths demonstrated that the proposed model can capture well the deformation behavior of natural clay and reconstituted soil. The model was implemented into the finite element program for the numerical analysis of an embankment on soft clay improved with prefabricated vertical drains. The numerical predictions were compared with the field-measured data in terms of embankment settlement. Additionally, the numerical simulations were analyzed in terms of horizontal displacements, excess pore water pressure, mean effective stress and volumetric strain. All of the simulations and comparisons indicate the importance of considering the effects of plastic anisotropy, interparticle bonding and destructuration caused by loading beyond yield stress and field disturbance in analyzing the behavior of an embankment on natural soft clay.     

Effects of anisotropy in correlation structure on the stability of an undrained clay slope

Slopes are mainly naturally occurred deposits, so slope stability is highly affected by inherent uncertainty. In this paper, the influence of heterogeneity of undrained shear strength on the performance of a clay slope is investigated. A numerical procedure for a probabilistic slope stability analysis based on a Monte Carlo simulation that considers the spatial variability of the soil properties is presented to assess the influence of randomly distributed undrained shear strength and to compute reliability as a function of safety factor. In the proposed method, commercially available finite difference numerical code FLAC 5.0 is merged with random field theory. The results obtained in this study are useful to understand the effect of undrained shear strength variations in slope stability analysis under different slope conditions and material properties. Coefficient of variation and heterogeneity anisotropy of undrained shear strength were proven to have significant effect on the reliability of safety factor calculations. However, it is shown that anisotropy of the heterogeneity has a dual effect on reliability index depending on the level of safety factor adopted.     

Effect of Fibercast and Fibermesh inclusion on the direct shear and linear shrinkage response of clay

Inclusion of synthetic fibers is becoming a routine task in soil reinforcement. The ability of synthetic fibers in controlling the shrinkage cracks in concrete is the main drive to consider its benefits in clay and other soil materials. The polypropylene fibers are nonbiodegradable and can perform well even in aggressive chemical exposure conditions. The direct shear testing is a popular geotechnical approach to assess the shearing strength for a range of soils. This study is aimed at investigating the effect of fiber inclusion on the direct shear response of semi-arid clay soils. This research is conducted using two different types of polypropylene fibers, viz., Fibercast and Fibermesh, having different surface properties on the shear strength envelope and parameters (angle of internal friction and cohesion). The aspect lengths were varied as 6 and 12 mm, and the dosages were varied as 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 % by weight of the soil. The results were viewed in relation to the fiber type, size, and dose. The soil response and shear resistance measured in consolidated undrained direct shear test is presented for the targeted doses, and the results revealed useful insight compared to unreinforced. The Fibermesh material proved to be the more appropriate fiber additive to typical semi-arid clay soils. The data provides helpful guide for the design geotechnical engineers.     

Influence of enzymatic lime on clay mineral behavior

Atterberg Limit Tests, unconfined compressive strength tests, and California Bearing Ratio Tests were conducted on the two minerals—kaolinite and bentonite—after subjecting them to stabilization with lime, enzyme, and enzymatic lime. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of enzymatic lime as a stabilizer over lime and enzyme. Results establish that enzymatic lime stabilization is the better stabilizer in terms of strength development. The unconfined compressive strength and California Bearing Ratio values of enzymatic lime stabilized samples have increased up to 5 and 30 times in the case of kaolinite mineral, but to only less than 1.5 times in the case of bentonite mineral. The study thus indicates that enzymatic lime stabilization is predominantly effective for clays containing kaolinite minerals.     

考虑各向异性的原状软黏土微观结构变化机制研究

采用电镜扫描仪（SEM）对在复杂应力路径作用下剪切前后的黏土样进行微观观察,并从剪切前后孔隙排列、孔隙形态、孔隙尺度变化特征3方面分析宏观试验原状软黏土归一化抗剪强度各向异性的微观本质。试验表明：剪切前后孔隙排列无序,孔隙排列方向变化很小,对黏土宏观性质影响很小;当中主应力参数b=0时,剪切过程中孔隙形态的变化对剪切后黏土归一化抗剪强度表现出的各向异性贡献较大;当b =0.5时,剪切过程中孔隙尺度的变化对剪切后黏土归一化抗剪强度表现出的各向异性贡献较大。因此,当中主应力参数不同时,影响剪切后黏土归一化抗剪强度各向异性的土的微观变化因素不同。     

Insight into the effects of clay mineralogy on the cyclic behavior of silt–clay mixtures

Results of a systematic testing program showed that the cyclic behavior of silt–clay mixtures is greatly influenced by the dominant clay minerals in the mixture. In particular, it was demonstrated that given the same amount of clay/clay mineral and/or same value of plasticity index, the montmorillonitic soils have the highest cyclic strength, followed by the illitic soils, and then by the kaolinitic soils. Moreover, the rate of increase in cyclic strength with increasing % clay mineral and PI is again the highest in the montmorillonitic soil, lowest in the kaolinitic soil and intermediate in the illitic soil. Therefore, without considering clay mineralogy, the % clay fraction, % clay mineral and plasticity index are unreliable indicators of the liquefaction susceptibility of fine-grained soils. The differing adhesive bond strength each clay mineral develops with the silt particles is deemed to largely explain the observed differences in the response of the three different soil mixtures to cyclic loading.     

Modeling the compression behavior of remolded clay mixtures

Clay mixture is a waste material in open pit mining from the excavation of various soil layers. In the present study, a general constitutive framework is proposed for the prediction of compressibility of remolded clay mixtures. First, the resulting structure of a clay mixture is simplified as a composite structure, in which the elements of the constituents are randomly distributed in a representative elementary volume. Afterwards, the initial water contents of the constituents are estimated based on a simplified model for the undrained shear strength of the clay mixture. Then, the representative elementary volume of the mixed soil is divided into separate individual parts and the volume fractions of the constituents are formulated as functions of the overall porosity and those of the constituents. Finally, a homogenization law is proposed based on the analysis of the randomly arranged structure together with a simple compression model for clay mixtures. Parameters required by the model correspond only to the constituents, which are simple to calibrate based on standard laboratory tests. By making comparisons of the predictions with test data, it is shown that the proposed model can well represent the compression behavior of the clay mixtures.     

Long-term behavior of lime-stabilized kaolinite clay

Clay soils create many problems for highway construction and they have to be replaced or improved by stabilization for satisfactory performance. Lime stabilization is a well-established technique to improve the performance of clays. Cementitious minerals form upon mixing of clay with lime causing an improvement in strength and durability. In the study, the changes in the microfabric of long-term cured lime-stabilized kaolinite clay using X-ray diffraction pattern, scanning electron microscope and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) is presented. Unconfined compression test samples at two different lime contents (4 and 12% by weight) were prepared and cured in a humidity room for long time curing. The UCS of pure kaolinite was originally 125 kPa, which increased to 1,015 kPa after 1 month and to 2,640 kPa (21 times the initial value) after 10 years for cured lime-stabilized kaolinite samples. Similar long-term strength increases were also observed for stabilized kaolinite with 12% lime. Calcium aluminate silicate hydrate minerals were detected in the structure of the kaolinite. This suggests pozzolanic reactions with lime stabilization may continue in the long-term for up to 10 years.     

A comparison of the fabric and permeability anisotropy of consolidated and sheared silty clay

This paper reports the geotechnical aspects of an experimental programme investigating the permeability of shear zones in clay-rich sediments. Oedometric and ring shear permeameters were used to investigate and compare permeability anisotropy in consolidated and sheared silty clay, to simulate the behaviour of wall-rock sediments and shear zone sediments respectively. In line with other studies, consolidated silty clay was found to have no significant permeability anisotropy, although clay fabric anisotropy was well developed. However, sheared silty clay showed an increase in permeability anisotropy (r_k = 3−16) with decreasing void ratio (e = 0.8−0.4), corresponding to effective stresses of 100 kPa to 4 MPa. This level of anisotropy was retained during shearing along the unloading path, and no significant dilation or enhancement of permeability was observed.     

Influence of processes of the formation of authigenic clay minerals of terrigenous rocks on reservoir properties: Evidence from the rocks of the Vartov Arch

Filtration-capacity properties of terrigenous reservoir rocks significantly depend on catagenetic transformations of clay minerals. Results of our research revealed the authigenic nature and formation stages of kaolinite and chlorite. The volume and shape of pore space define the morphology of clay particles. Depending on the pore volume, kaolinite crystallizes either as thick tabular aggregates or as fan-shaped intergrowths. The formation of authigenic clays in pores of terrigenous reservoirs decreases filtration-capacity properties of rocks with low permeability and, conversely, increases filtration-capacity properties of rocks with high primary permeability and large pore volume.     

A laboratory and full-scale study on the fragmentation behavior of rocks

Rock fines produced in rock blasting and crushing processes is a major problem for aggregate producers. Laboratory and full-scale studies were carried out to explore the possible relationship between fines production and water content of rock material. The Brazilian tensile test was selected for the laboratory study while a cone crusher machine was employed for the full-scale trials. Results of the laboratory work showed that the percentage of fines fraction produced was a function of the type of rock tested and the tensile strength of individual specimens. Different rocks produced various amounts of fines, but for the rocks investigated, a correlation between its strength and its fines generation could be attained. The influence of water content on production of fines was also examined and showed that increased water content reduces both tensile strength and fines generation in the laboratory. The impact of water content on aggregate production was also studied in full-scale but the results were not as clear as those of the laboratory tests.     

On the behavior of the cured electroosmotic chemical treated clay

Followed the proposed ECT procedure that was the injection of 0.75 M CaCl₂ solution for 72 h, then 1.5 M KOH solution for 48 h, then sodium silicate solution for 72 h and then deionized water for 168 h, the clay strength can be improved from anode to cathode entirely. To further improve the clay strength, curing the sample for different periods and applying electric field over the sample were studied. The cone resistance, water content, pH value, Ca²⁺ concentration and the XRD pattern were tested or analyzed in each test. Results show that injection of deionized water was a key phase to produce a full improvement of the treated clay, which cannot be replaced by the application of an electric field only and without injecting water. Curing the treated clay after injecting deionized water can yield a higher clay strength in the cathode area significantly due to pozzolanic reaction but produce a lower clay strength in the anode area because the formed NaOH decomposed the gel structure of the sodium silicate solution. To obtain a better strength after injection of deionized water for 168 h, the treated clay had to be cured for about 28 days, along with a dry anode compartment.

     

武汉软土固结不排水应力-应变归一化特性分析

基于武汉软土的固结不排水三轴剪切试验,分析了武汉软土的应力-应变关系特性：在低围压下,土体表现出稳定型或弱应变硬化型;在高围压下,土体呈现出弱应变软化型;土体的应力-应变关系曲线为典型的双曲线。为实现武汉软土应力-应变关系的归一化,基于典型的双曲线方程,从理论上推导了为实现应力-应变方程归一化而必须满足的归一化条件,并提出了用主应力差渐近值作为标准归一化因子。通过运用标准归一化因子和常用的以固结围压为归一化因子,对武汉软土应力-应变特性进行归一化分析和比较,得出用主应力差渐近值作为标准归一化因子,软土的应力-应变特性归一化程度更高,效果更好。同时,运用标准归一化因子,建立了武汉软土固结不排水条件下应力-应变特性的归一化方程。     

粉质黏土卸荷变形特性试验研究

依托武汉长江隧道江北明挖段基坑工程,开展了一系列的K0固结状态下原状粉质黏土卸荷应力路径排水剪三轴试验,并对卸荷变形特性进行了深入分析。分析表明：卸荷应力路径下原状粉质黏土的应力-应变关系与应力路径有着密切的关系,近似呈双曲线型。根据应力-应变曲线表现,可将卸荷应力路径分为A、B两组,A组应力路径试样表现为轴向压缩;B组应力路径试样表现为轴向伸长。卸荷应力路径下粉质黏土的应力-应变关系具有良好的归一化特性,同一应力路径下不同固结压力的应力-应变曲线可采用双曲线函数用平均固结压力归一化,但A、B两组应力路径下的归一化方程有所差别。给出了各种应力路径下的归一化方程,可为卸荷土体的变形参数及本构关系研究提供参考。     

砂与粘土接触界面的力学特性试验

利用DSJ-2型电动四联等应变直剪仪分别进行了不同粒径砂和粘土(方案1)、不同含水量砂和粘土(方案2)的直剪试验,揭示了其接触面的力学特性。试验结果表明:法向应力(σ_n)、砂粒径大小、砂含水量对接触面的力学特性有着重要的影响。方案1和方案2接触面的抗剪强度和达到剪切应力峰值时的剪切位移随着法向应力的增大而增大,当σ_n为100 kPa时,粘土和不同粒径砂的接触面剪切应力和水平剪切位移(τ-δ)关系曲线呈现应变软化现象;方案1接触面抗剪强度随砂粒径的减小而降低,方案2在σ_n为100 kPa时,接触面抗剪强度随砂含水量增加而降低,σ_n>100 kPa时,接触面抗剪强度随砂含水量增加先降低后变大;方案2在低法向应力下,接触面抗剪强度对应的含水量敏感区间为[10%,15%],且较明显。