Publication Date:
2007-09-01
Description:
The behaviour of soils subject to suction on drying and wetting paths depends on the type of material and its initial state. Exposure to heat modifies the state of pore water and therefore the hydromechanical behaviour of the soil. A new experimental device has been developed to study the thermohydric behaviour of unsaturated soils. Salt solution desiccators and polyethylene glycol (PEG) osmotic solutions are dipped in thermostatic baths, whose temperature ranges from room temperature to 80 °C. Tests were carried out on a sandy clay prepared in the laboratory and on a natural undisturbed clay, extracted from an experimental site for deep underground storage of radioactive waste. Results show that temperature plays an important role in the shrinkage of soil, especially when subjected to high levels of suction. The results can be applied to observe the response of confining clay barriers submitted to hydric and thermal changes.
Print ISSN:
0008-3674
Electronic ISSN:
1208-6010
Topics:
Geosciences
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