On the black cotton soils of North Cameroon

During detailed geotechnical prospecting in North Cameroon, extensive black cotton soil deposits were encountered. Based on classification tests, three samples were selected for mineralogical analysis. The results indicated that the predominant clay mineral was the halloysite governing the geotechnical properties and behaviour of the cotton soils. New correlations were established between clay mineral content and Atterberg limits of the investigated materials.     

Potential of Raw-Meal to Stabilize South-Eastern Nigerian Coal-Reject

Geo-engineering tests that include Atterberg limits, linear shrinkage, compaction, California bearing ratio and strength tests were used to assess the potential of raw-meal to modify Nigerian coal-reject. The results of the tests indicate that the liquid limit, plastic limit and plasticity index as well as linear shrinkage values decreased with increasing raw meal content. The results also show that the maximum dry density decreased as raw meal content increased up to a maximum of 6% for the modified AASHTO and West African Standard (WAS) compaction energies and 2% raw meal content for BS compaction energy. The California bearing ratio attained optimal value at 2% for the modified AASHTO and West African Standard (WAS) compaction energies and 6% raw meal content for BS compaction energy. Peak shear strength was also achieved at 6% raw meal content. These results demonstrate that the geotechnical properties of the coal-reject can be improved significantly with the addition of up to 6% raw meal when compacted at BS compaction energy and 2% raw meal content when compacted at modified AASHTO and WAS compaction energies.     

Environmental geological and geotechnical investigations related to the potential use of Ankara clay as a compacted landfill liner material, Turkey

Clay-bearing Upper Pliocene red clastics and Quaternary alluvial deposits occupy the Ankara basin. The clayey levels of the Upper Pliocene deposits, referred to as Ankara clay, is considered as a source for compacted clay liners due to their low coefficients of permeability and widespread distributions throughout Ankara. This study investigates the geological, geotechnical and mineralogical properties of the founding clayey soils at two sites of the Ankara region. The geotechnical index properties along with the hydraulic conductivities of the clayey soil samples collected from these sites were determined. A mathematical relation between the clay mineralogical content and hydraulic conductivity was established. The results of this investigation show that, from a geotechnical point of view, Ankara clay may be regarded as a highly suitable material for a compacted clay landfill liner given that its mineralogical compatibility with leachate is confirmed.     

Sand–Attapulgite Clay Mixtures as a Landfill Liner

Absrtract This paper investigates the potential use of sand–attapulgite (palygorskite) mixtures as a landfill liner. The sand and attapulgite clay used in this study were brought from Wahiba (eastern Oman) and Al-Shuwamiyah (southern Oman), respectively. Initially the basic properties of the sand and clay were determined. Then the attapulgite clay was added to the sand at 5, 10, 20 and 30% by dry weight of the sand. The sand–attapulgite clay mixtures were subjected to mineralogical, chemical, microfabric and geotechnical analyses. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) qualitative analysis showed that attapulgite is the major clay mineral. The chemical compounds, exchangeable cations and cation exchange capacity (CEC) for the␣samples were determined. The CEC for the sand–clay mixtures is low but increases with the increase in clay content. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) examination showed that the addition of clay developed coating between and around the sand grains which results in filling the voids and reducing the hydraulic conductivity of the sand–clay mixtures. The hydraulic conductivity values for the pure clay and sand + 30% clay mixture prepared at 2% above optimum water content are slightly higher than hydraulic conductivity requirements for landfill liners but can be acceptable. The geotechnical study which included grain size distribution, Atterberg limits, specific gravity, compaction, hydraulic conductivity and shear strength tests showed that the sand+30% clay mixture prepared at 2% above optimum water content can be considered to satisfy the requirements for landfill liners. For all sand–clay mixtures no swelling was recorded and the addition of clay to the sand improved the shear strength.     

湛江组结构性黏土区域微观结构特性研究

形成于早更新世的湛江组地层广泛分布于雷州半岛地区,其最为典型的灰色黏土因具有强结构性,在实际工程中出现了一系列岩土工程问题,为众多学者所关注。根据地层学研究结果,雷州半岛各区域的湛江组灰色黏土具有不同沉积环境。由于地质成因的差异,灰色黏土在不同区域表现出不同的工程特性。工程实际中,灰色黏土工程特性的区域性,使得工程界及研究者对于该土层的工程力学效益更是难以掌握。利用X射线衍射试验及电镜扫描试验,研究了不同区域灰色黏土的矿物成分及含量、微结构等微观结构特性。结果表明：不同沉积环境灰色黏土矿物成分及含量存在区域性差异,各矿物成分按照不同比例组合,形成的土体微结构区域特性明显。灰色黏土具有强结构性微观机制的揭示及区域差异性的分析,有利于对该层黏土的全面认知和利用。     

滇西北红粘土的工程地质特性及其灾害效应

在野外地质调查的基础上,结合室内土工试验,系统分析了滇西北红粘土的物质组成、物性特征和工程地质特性,并以此为基础探讨了其地质灾害效应。研究结果表明：滇西北红粘土粒度组成主要以粘粒为主,粘土矿物成分比较复杂,在丽江以南其矿物成分主要以高岭石（K）为主,在丽江以北则以伊利石/蒙脱石（I/S）混层矿物为主。此外,滇西北红粘土具有含水量高、重度低、塑性高、膨胀性弱等物性特征,在天然状态下比较稳定,但是随着含水量的增加其土体强度大大降低,易引发滑坡、水土流失等地质灾害。     

The role of clay fractions of marly soils on their post stabilization failure

This paper focuses attention on the some basic aspects of the role of clay fraction of marly soils including palygorskite and sepiolite upon marl behaviour. The clay fraction of marl is generally dominated by palygorskite and/or sepiolite. It is the performance of these clay soil fractions that are the root cause of many of the problems encountered in the use of such soils as load-bearing materials. This makes it necessary to investigate the role of palygorskite and sepiolite on marly soil's performance. In this paper, some geotechnical and geoenvironmental aspects of marl behaviour is investigated and a new definition and classification of marly soils is presented. This classification focuses attention on the presence of palygorskite or sepiolite as the major fraction of marl, which governs its geoenvironmental and geotechnical behaviour.     

Geotechnical evaluation of Turkish clay deposits: a case study in Northern Turkey

Clay deposits in Oltu-Narman basins (Erzurum, northern Turkey) have been studied to determine their engineering properties and to evaluate their uses for geotechnical applications. These deposits are concentrated in two different stratigraphic horizons namely the Late Oligocene and the Early Miocene sequences. Clay-rich fine-grained sedimentary units are deposited in shallow marine and lagoonar mixed environments. Their clay minerals originated by the alteration of Eocene calc-alkaline island-arc volcanics, preferably from pyroclastics (trachite and andesite flow), which form the basement for the Oltu depression. Smectite group clay minerals are found abundant in clay deposits. The experimental results show that the clay soils have high plasticity behaviors and low hydraulic conductivity properties. The optimum water content, the free swell, and the swelling pressure of clay samples decreased and the maximum dry unit weight of clay samples increased under high temperature. Consequently, it is concluded that the expanding of clay soils is an important soil problem that cannot be avoided in the significant parts of Oltu city and its villages. However, the soils of clay-rich layers in the outcrops-section of clay deposits can be successfully used to build compacted clay liners for landfill systems and to construct vertical and horizontal barriers for protection of ground water and for preventing soil pollution in geotechnical applications.     

城市河道淤泥特性及改良试验初探

以南京内秦淮河疏浚淤泥为例,通过土工试验、XRD和X射线荧光光谱试验等方法,研究了城市河道淤泥的物理性质、矿物成分、化学成分等特性。试验结果显示:秦淮河淤泥粘粒含量低、有机质含量极高,矿物成分主要有石英和少量粘土矿物等。为了实现淤泥的资源化处理,运用水泥、石灰无机固化材料对淤泥进行固化改良试验及改性土无侧限抗压强度试验,结果表明随着水泥掺量增加,水泥固化土由塑性破坏向脆性破坏过渡,破坏应变在1.8%~2.2%,而石灰固化土均表现为脆性破坏,且破坏应变小于水泥土,为1%左右。水泥固化土28d强度为670kPa,固化效果优于石灰,但略低于处理一般软土的固化土强度。研究结果对处置城市河道淤泥有一定参考价值。     

Correlation of mineralogy and index properties with residual strength of Iraklion marls

The marly formations of the city of Iraklion in Crete, Greece, are described and classified according to their mineralogy and physical properties. The residual angle of friction of these marls was determined using ring shear apparatus and the results were correlated with mineral composition and index properties, such as Atterberg limits and grain size distribution. Furthermore, for better understanding of the determined interrelationships between the physical characteristics and the residual strength of these marls, a number of marl-bentonite mixtures were also tested. Thus, the influence of the variation in clay mineral content on the residual strength was studied and correlations with clay-sized fraction and plasticity index were attempted.     

废旧轮胎胶粉-黏土混合土的击实性能

废旧轮胎橡胶颗粒用于填埋场衬垫材料改性,有望提高衬垫系统的有效性。击实性能是衬垫设计和施工的基础,但目前缺乏针对性研究,击实机理不够明确。开展废旧轮胎胶粉-黏土混合土的击实试验研究,探讨橡胶颗粒粒径、掺入比等因素对混合土击实性能的影响规律和压实机制。研究表明,当橡胶掺入比从0增大到25%时,胶粉-高岭土的最优含水率增大,胶粉-红黏土的最优含水率减小,变化在2.4%范围内; 混合土的最大干密度从1.65gcm-3减小至约1.40gcm-3; 试验选用的橡胶颗粒粒径对最优含水率和最大干密度差异不显著。在击实过程中橡胶颗粒回弹和橡胶颗粒比表面积变化两种效应下,最优含水率随橡胶掺入比的增加表现出减小(大颗粒时)、不变和增加(小颗粒时)的变化规律,并与基质土的性质密切相关。给出了初步设计时改性黏土含水率和干密度的控制方法,能够基本满足规范中对压实黏土的含水率和压实度的要求,且其渗透系数小于1.010-7cms-1。     

Compaction Properties of Sand Mixed with Modified Waste EPS

The paper presents the results of the study which influence the use of recycled waste expanded polystyrene foams (EPS), as a lightweight material used with river sand. In this study, thermally modified waste EPS have been used. The waste EPS were put in an oven at 130 °C through 15 min to obtain modified expanded polystyrene (MEPS). The influences of MEPS on compaction properties such as maximum dry density and optimum moisture content were investigated. For this purpose, five series of compaction tests were carried out. MEPS were added to river sand at 5, 10, 15, and 20 % by weight. The test results showed that addition of 20 % MEPS in sand reduces the density of mixture almost 50 %. MEPS can be an alternative light weight fill material for geotechnical applications.     

宁波地区典型淤泥质粘土工程特性

总结宁波地区120个软土地基工程的试验成果,采用数理统计和室内土工试验方法,系统分析研究了宁波地区典型淤泥质粘土的物理力学指标特征、各指标间的相互关系以及固结主要参数,并与我国其他地区软土相关工程特性进行比较,揭示了宁波地区典型软粘土工程特性,即:天然含水率与孔隙比、重度与孔隙比、液限与塑性比相关性非常好;建立的宁波地区软土经验公式不同于其他软土地区。此外,结构性对该地区软土工程性状影响较大,固结系数和次固结系数都受其影响,且影响程度异于其他地区。     

广西红粘土击实样强度特性与胀缩性能

通过对广西贵港红粘土重型击实样的室内试验研究,探讨了其力学特性、胀缩性能、孔径分布特征与含水量之间的关系。结果表明：干密度指标总体上能反映红粘土击实样的强度规律,但非饱和击实样强度峰值对应的含水量因基质吸力作用而偏小,饱和后土体由于吸水膨胀与基质吸力的消失,使得强度峰值对应含水量较饱和前明显增大,红粘土在最优含水量下压实,虽可获得很高的压实度,但饱和后的强度并非最大;红粘土击实样的胀缩性能主要由含水量决定,同时,受到干密度的影响;孔隙主要以孔径在0.01～0.05μm范围内的小孔隙为主,为进一步掌握红粘土的工程力学特性提供了帮助。     

Geological and engineering characteristics of expansive soils and rocks in northern Oman

The geology and former climate of northern Oman favoured the formation of smectite clay minerals in certain materials which are implicated in ground heave problems. Investigations have shown that the smectite content of these expansive materials was developed in Oligocene, Miocene and Pliocene times. No evidence of a significant content of smectite was found in pre Eocene strata or in Quaternary strata, except for Desert Fill. It is shown that the main types of expansive materials in northern Oman are bentonitic mudstones, marls and silty mudstones, argillaceous dolomitic limestone, altered conglomerates and the desert fill derived from these. These swelling materials exist as impersistent bands within the bedrock Tertiary conglomerates and limestones. A geotechnical testing program was carried out on undisturbed samples from Sultan Qaboos University staff housing areas where building damage had occurred, to evaluate mineralogical composition, cation content and swelling characteristics. The test results characterized these soils/rocks as highly expansive type with Na-smectite as the dominant clay mineral.     

Applicability of piezocone and dilatometer to characterize the soils of the Venice Lagoon

The effectiveness of two geotechnical investigation tools—the piezocone and the dilatometer—to characterize the soils forming the shallowest deposits of the upper quaternary basin of the Venice lagoon soil is examined in this study. For this purpose, the results of a comprehensive site and laboratory investigation carried out recently over a small lagoon area—the Malamocco Test Site—are used to evaluate the applicability of the most widely used charts or correlative equations to characterize soil profile and estimate the main geotechnical properties of these soils, when applied to the interpretation of CPTU and DMT results. The particular interest of this site—apart from its unquestionable historical relevance—is the presence, apparently without any regular pattern in depth and site, of a predominantly silty fraction combined with clay and/or sand, thus forming an erratic interbedding of various types of sediments. This case represents therefore the opposite condition of that which has been normally utilized in the past to calibrate the two devices, namely the presence of particularly homogeneous natural deposits or artificially sedimented homogeneous layers of sand or clay. The Malamocco Test Site may therefore be considered as test benchmark for the applicability of the two devices to characterize highly heterogeneous silty deposits.     

典型韵律互层式灰岩与泥灰岩的地球化学特征对比

通过对德国南部地区上侏罗统麻姆组典型韵律互层式灰岩与泥灰岩进行逐层采样,并进行不溶残余物分析和地球化学测定对比,发现两者所含非碳酸盐物质没有区别。SiO₂、Al₂O₃、Fe₂O₃、K₂O和TiO₂等来源于陆源碎屑物,在灰岩与泥灰岩中的比例完全相同,其含量的不同完全由碳酸盐物质的稀释所引起。元素Sr、Zn、Mn和Mg归为成岩作用控制元素,最先存在形式与碳酸盐有关,但成岩阶段变化极大,Mg的含量主要受白云岩化作用程度控制。另一组元素如S、Ba、Rb和P等介于以上两组元素之间,表现为部分受陆源碎屑物含量控制,部分受成岩作用影响。研究表明,灰岩与泥灰岩韵律互层形成的原因主要是由于碳酸盐物质的沉积速率变化所致,成岩阶段的压溶作用加大了两者的差异,但这种差异只表现在于碳酸盐物质与酸不溶残余物的比例上,而地球化学组成没有本质区别。     

水泥基土壤固化剂固化土的物理化学作用

采用击实试验、液塑限联合测定界限含水率试验、蜡封法测定干密度试验、二氧化碳气量法、交换性钠离子百分比试验等方法,结合黏土矿物组成与结构特点,研究了水泥基土壤固化剂固化土的物理化学作用。试验结果表明：随着固化剂剂量的增加,混合料的最大干密度增大,最优含水率降低;固化土混合料经过养护后,塑性指数降低,干密度增大,碳酸盐含量增加,交换性钠离子百分比升高;黏土矿物在强碱性和钙离子作用下被激活,形成各种水化硅酸盐和铝酸盐。研究认为：在土-固化剂-水-气系统中通过液相和气相向固相的转变以及各类水化产物的填充、挤密、胶结等作用,混合料逐渐形成较致密的整体;离子交换反应对土体的加固作用在后期起负效应;铝硅酸盐黏土矿物在强碱性和钙离子存在条件下被分解,参与水化硅酸盐和铝酸盐的反应。     

膨胀土与红黏土石灰改性对比试验研究

为探讨石灰改性膨胀土与红黏土的强度发展规律,以生石灰与消石灰改性的南阳膨胀土与郴州红黏土为研究对象,进行了无侧限抗压、固结快速直剪和固结压缩试验的对比研究。研究发现：在1 a养生龄期内,石灰改性的南阳膨胀土与郴州红黏土无侧限抗压强度与养生龄期的对数基本呈线性关系;按大于最佳含水率3%制样的强度在养生28 d以后高于按最佳含水率制样;生石灰改性效果比消石灰改性效果好,由于矿物成分不同,石灰改性南阳膨胀土的效果比石灰改性郴州红黏土好     

Geotechnical characterization of carbonate marls for the construction of impermeable dam cores

Fine-grained, more or less cohesive carbonate materials are extremely widespread in terms of surface area and are, therefore, commonly used as materials to construct impermeable cores for dams. However, it has not been adequately documented whether the carbonate content in fine-grained soils significantly affects their engineering behaviour. The present study shows that the carbonate content substantially influences the engineering behaviour of clayey material. For this, we subjected 32 samples to different laboratory tests, such as the normal Proctor, the Atterberg limits, granulometric analysis, oedometric and undrained triaxial tests. The resulting parameters were correlated with the carbonate content of the samples.

The materials studied in this work had been used in the construction of the impermeable core of the San Clemente Dam, belonging to the hydrographic basin of the Guadalquivir River (southern Spain). These marls present, as their prime characteristic, a carbonate content of the fine fraction consistently exceeding 50%, giving them special importance in the study of this phenomenon.

In this study, a direct relationship was found between the geotechnical properties of the soils studied and their degree of compaction, with the carbonate content and the type of minerals in the clay being the main factors determining the behaviour of these soils. Finally, we conclude that the percentage of carbonates should be used as a classification criterion for the soils used to construct the cores of earth-filled dams.