Fractal Analysis of Crack Evolution in Desiccating Clay and Some Engineering Applications

An experimental and theoretical evaluation of crack evolution in a clay sample subjected to desiccation is presented. The desiccation cracking of the clay sample was recorded using photographs and an image analyzer. The crack evolution was evaluated using three fractal dimensions. The first, D_s, measured the level of cracking and crack interconnectivity in the sample. The second, D_d, measured the size distribution of the clay fragments during the drying induced fragmentation of the clay. And the third one, D_b, measured the degree of roughness of the clay fragments’ outlines. The D_s ranged in values between 0.869 and 1.532, with the values of D_s increasing as the level of cracking increased in the sample. D_d and D_b were equal to 3.61 and 1.107, respectively. These two fractal dimensions were measured in the sample after the desiccation process was complete. The application of the resulting desiccation process of the clay sample to the design waste containment systems is also presented.