Fines Classification Based on Sensitivity to Pore-Fluid Chemistry
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VIEW THE REPLYPublication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 142, Issue 4
Abstract
The 75-μm particle size is used to discriminate between fine and coarse grains. Further analysis of fine grains is typically based on the plasticity chart. Whereas pore-fluid-chemistry-dependent soil response is a salient and distinguishing characteristic of fine grains, pore-fluid chemistry is not addressed in current classification systems. Liquid limits obtained with electrically contrasting pore fluids (deionized water, 2-M NaCl brine, and kerosene) are combined to define the soil “electrical sensitivity.” Liquid limit and electrical sensitivity can be effectively used to classify fine grains according to their fluid-soil response into no-, low-, intermediate-, or high-plasticity fine grains of low, intermediate, or high electrical sensitivity. The proposed methodology benefits from the accumulated experience with liquid limit in the field and addresses the needs of a broader range of geotechnical engineering problems.
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Acknowledgments
Support for this research was provided by the DOE, the Goizueta Foundation, and KAUST’s endowment. Adrian Garcia helped gather experimental data. Colleagues and anonymous reviewers provided valuable insight, detailed comments, and related information.
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Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 142 • Issue 4 • April 2016
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Received: Sep 22, 2014
Accepted: Aug 20, 2015
Published online: Dec 28, 2015
Published in print: Apr 1, 2016
Discussion open until: May 28, 2016
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