Micaceous Sands: Microscale Mechanisms and Macroscale Response
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 133, Issue 9
Abstract
The presence of mica changes the mechanical behavior of sandy soils. In this study, micro- and macroscale tests are used to explore the unique packing characteristics that develop in mixtures made of round and platy particles, and the effects that mica exerts on small, medium, and large strain parameters. Mixtures are prepared with different mica contents and various mica-to-sand size ratios, . Results provide a comprehensive characterization of mixtures made of spherical and platy particles. Mica plates change sand packing through pore filling, bridging, ordering, and mica–mica interaction; bridging prevails and leads to open fabrics when . As the mica content increases in mixtures with , the shear-wave velocity decreases and it becomes more sensitive to the state of stress; the constraint modulus decreases; and the peak and residual friction angles decrease. Remixing during disordered granular flow prevents mica alignment and diminishes the otherwise weakening effect of mica on large-strain strength.
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Acknowledgments
This study was conducted while the writers were at the Georgia Institute of Technology, with support from Georgia mining companies and The Goizueta Foundation. Anonymous reviewers provided insightful comments and suggestions.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 133 • Issue 9 • September 2007
Pages: 1136 - 1143
Copyright
© 2007 ASCE.
History
Received: Jul 18, 2005
Accepted: Nov 6, 2006
Published online: Sep 1, 2007
Published in print: Sep 2007
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