Investigation of Suction Effects Due to Stress Release with Compacted MX80 Bentonite
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 148, Issue 9
Abstract
In this study, the suction induced by stress release was investigated by measuring the suction of instantaneously unloaded MX80 bentonite specimens after wetting in an oedometer either under different vertical stresses or under a constant-volume condition. Swell-consolidation tests were also performed, and the results were compared with those of specimens wetted under different vertical stresses or a constant-volume condition. The microstructure of the unloaded specimens was investigated using mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP). The water content and void ratio as well as the degree of saturation of specimens were also determined. Results showed that in the case of limited water exchange between macropores and micropores during stress release, the change in suction was equal to that of stress (). By contrast, with water exchange between macropores and micropores, soil swelling occurred, and the variation of suction was higher than that of stress (). A method was proposed allowing such water exchange between macropores and micropores to be determined (, where is the modified stress considering water exchange), evidencing the macropore drying due to stress release. Comparison of results from MX80 bentonite and other clayey soils showed that when the nonclay (grains such as quartz, calcite, and so on) fraction (NCF) was lower than 35% by mass, NCF had an insignificant effect on (equal to 1). By contrast, in the case of higher NCF (), became lower than 1, and the higher the NCF, the lower the value. These findings provide useful information for better understanding the mechanism involved at the microstructure level in the stress/suction coupling during stress release in clayey soils.
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Data Availability Statement
The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
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Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 148 • Issue 9 • September 2022
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© 2022 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jul 6, 2020
Accepted: Apr 26, 2022
Published online: Jul 1, 2022
Published in print: Sep 1, 2022
Discussion open until: Dec 1, 2022
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