Effect of salinity on rheological and strength properties of cement-stabilized clay minerals

Abstract

This paper presents an experimental investigation into the effect of salinity on Atterberg limits, flowability, viscosity and strength properties of cement-stabilized clay minerals. Three groups of clay minerals (illite, kaolinite and montmorillonite) were obtained. Specimens with different porewater salinities were prepared by mixing the air-dried clays with sodium chloride (NaCl) at various salt concentrations (i.e., 0%, 2% 4%, 6% and 8%). Atterberg limits test results indicated that liquid limit and plasticity index decreased insignificantly with increasing salinity for Kaolinite and illite but significantly for montmorillonite. Flow test results indicated that of all specimens of three groups of clay minerals with or without adding cement consistently increase with increasing salinity. The flow value of montmorillonite increased more significantly than kaolinite and illite. Viscosity test results indicated that all the specimens tested behave as Bingham plastic. Flow value consistently decreased with increasing dynamic viscosity or yield stress, regardless of clay mineralogy, porewater salinity and cement amount. Strength test results indicated that all cement-stabilized specimens exhibit strain softening behavior. Unconfined compressive strength for three groups of clay minerals stabilized with cement consistently decreased with increasing salinity indicating that the presence of salt had an adverse effect on the development of strength.