Gaspar, T.A.V. orcid.org/0000-0002-3746-2714, Jacobsz, S.W., Smit, G. et al. (3 more authors) (2023) Centrifuge modelling of an expansive clay profile using artificial fissuring to accelerate swell. Engineering Geology, 312. 106928. ISSN 0013-7952
Abstract
This paper presents the results of a centrifuge study in which swell of an expansive clay profile was induced in the centrifuge. A factor which has previously hindered such research is the time required to induce significant swell in-flight, within a reasonable time frame. In this study the use of an artificially fissured fabric together with geotextile layers allowed for a significant magnitude of swell to be achieved within a matter of hours. Measurements of matric suction and water content throughout testing highlight the potential difficulties associated with such measurements in a fissured profile. The suction in clay along the interfaces of fissures can be significantly reduced almost instantaneously with the ingress of water. In contrast, elements closer to the centre of intact masses may take significantly longer to respond, illustrating the role of the dual processes (and hence dual scaling laws) of moisture ingress along fissures, followed by diffusion associated with swelling of the clay. A comparison of the magnitude of swell induced in this centrifuge model with that of conventional oedometer swell tests indicated gross overpredictions from the oedometer testing. In this comparison, the severe limitation of oedometer tests reducing a sample to a point of zero suction is emphasised. Finally, it is illustrated how an understanding of the rate of swell throughout an expansive profile can provide insights into the validity of the predictions from oedometer swell tests.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2022 The Authors. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. |
Keywords: | Expansive soils; Centrifuge modelling; Partial saturation; Suction |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Engineering (Sheffield) > Department of Civil and Structural Engineering (Sheffield) |
Funding Information: | Funder Grant number UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) under the Global Challenges Fund programme EP/P029434/1 |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 13 Jan 2023 11:35 |
Last Modified: | 27 Jun 2023 09:12 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2022.106928 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Elsevier BV |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1016/j.enggeo.2022.106928 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:195197 |