Abstract
Soft and semisolid states of fine-grained soils and clay minerals (FGS-CMs) are frequently dealt with during execution of infrastructure projects located in the coastal areas, analysis of natural hazards, and mineral processing. In most of these cases, the FGS-CMs flow like a slurry, and hence determination of their rheological characteristics becomes essential. However, test methods and approaches available for determining the rheological behavior of the FGS-CMs when they transform from the solid to the liquid state are yet to evolve. This study uses a parallel-plate rheometer, which is widely used for rheological characterization of complex fluids (i.e., fluids which exhibit yield stress), to determine the rheological parameters (i.e., yield stress, , and strains) of the FGS-CMs with a consistency near the liquid limit. A critical analysis of the existing protocols that are used to determine and their applicability to FGS-CMs is conducted. The constant shear-rate (CSR) test, when conducted at low shear-rate, yields the most accurate of FGS-CMs. Subsequently, the results are used to develop a generalized relationship which explains the variation of the of the FGS-CM with the consistency represented as water content normalized with respect to the liquid limit. Furthermore, to understand the nature of strains that develop during the preyielding regime of FGS-CMs, creep-relaxation (CR) tests are conducted by imposing stress equivalent to different fractions of . The results from CR tests were utilized in the development of a novel methodology to determine the elastic component of the shear modulus, , of FGS-CMs. This study reveals that FGS-CMs behave as a linear elastoplastic material in the preyield stage, contrary to the much expected purely elastic response, providing a new insight in the realm of contemporary geomechanics.
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Acknowledgments
This study is part of a collaboration between the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, and Laboratory Navier, Ecole des Pont ParisTech, Paris under the GREAT project (FP7 Marie Curie International Research Staff Exchange Scheme program) funded by the European Commission (Grant Agreement PIRSES-GA-2013-612665). The authors extend their gratitude to Dr. Anh Minh Tang and Emmanuel de Laure for providing two samples and making available the experimental facilities at the Geotechnique Group of Laboratory Navier, Ecole des Ponts ParisTech (ENPC) for carrying out basic geotechnical tests.
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©2018 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Apr 8, 2018
Accepted: Jun 18, 2018
Published online: Sep 28, 2018
Published in print: Dec 1, 2018
Discussion open until: Feb 28, 2019
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