Evolution of Nanomechanical and Macroscale Mechanical Responses of Expansive Clay during Swelling
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 22, Issue 11
Abstract
A controlled uniaxial swelling device is used to saturate sodium-montmorillonite (Na-MMT) clay samples and allow them to swell to various swelling levels. Nanomechanical experiments are conducted on the saturated samples at 0%, 10%, and 20% swelling levels to evaluate the force–displacement response, modulus of elasticity, and hardness and compare those values with those obtained for undisturbed dry clay. Unconfined compressive strength experiments are conducted to evaluate the undrained response for the swelling levels used in the nanomechanical experiments. The modulus of elasticity and hardness decreases with an increase in swelling but is higher than the dry clay. The clay particles also break down into smaller sizes with an increase in swelling. Swelling significantly impacts the unconfined compressive strength, nanomechanical properties, and microstructure of swelling clay. The mechanical properties of swelling clay at various length scales from macroscale to nanoscale and at different swelling levels are essential for the development of models to accurately predict the shear strength of swelling clay, critical for the economical and safe design of civil infrastructures.
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Acknowledgments
The support by the US Department of Transportation, Mountain Plains Consortium (MPC) Grants MPC-506 (Agreement No. DTRT13-G-UTC38) and MPC-548 (Agreement No. 69A3551747108) is acknowledged. The nanoindentation instrument was purchased from NSF IMR Grant No. 0315513. The authors acknowledge Mr. Sharad Jaswandkar for the Berkovich tip drawings. The guidance provided by Dr. Scott Payne during microscopy experiments and 3D printing is acknowledged.
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Published In
International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 22 • Issue 11 • November 2022
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© 2022 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Feb 18, 2021
Accepted: Jun 4, 2022
Published online: Aug 22, 2022
Published in print: Nov 1, 2022
Discussion open until: Jan 22, 2023
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