Influence of Salt Solutions on the Undrained Shear Strength and the Clogging of Smectite-Quartz Mixtures

Abstract

Research Article| August 01, 2011 Influence of Salt Solutions on the Undrained Shear Strength and the Clogging of Smectite-Quartz Mixtures GIOVANNI SPAGNOLI; GIOVANNI SPAGNOLI 1. Corresponding author email: [e-mail]. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar MARTIN FEINENDEGEN; MARTIN FEINENDEGEN Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar TOMÁS FERNÁNDEZ-STEEGER TOMÁS FERNÁNDEZ-STEEGER Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Environmental & Engineering Geoscience (2011) 17 (3): 293–305. https://doi.org/10.2113/gseegeosci.17.3.293 Article history first online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation GIOVANNI SPAGNOLI, MARTIN FEINENDEGEN, TOMÁS FERNÁNDEZ-STEEGER; Influence of Salt Solutions on the Undrained Shear Strength and the Clogging of Smectite-Quartz Mixtures. Environmental & Engineering Geoscience 2011;; 17 (3): 293–305. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/gseegeosci.17.3.293 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyEnvironmental & Engineering Geoscience Search Advanced Search Abstract During mechanical tunnel driving, the excavated material often leads to several problems. For example, the sticking of clay in a tunnel boring machine can occur at various surfaces: at the cutting wheel, in the mixing chamber, and in the transport system. Unfortunately, it is presently very difficult to quantify the adhesion by using laboratory tests. Additionally, methods used to address the clogging are still based on empirical attempts without acting on the mineralogical properties of the clays. Atterberg limit determinations and undrained shear tests were performed in order to observe the variation of these simple mechanical properties for smectite-quartz powder mixtures with water and different electrolytes (e.g., NaCl and CaCl2). Additionally, the clogging potential of pure smectite-quartz powder mixtures with water, NaCl, and CaCl2 was quantified by the so-called cone pull-out test. NaCl and CaCl2 solutions reduce the clogging of smectite-quartz mixtures in the laboratory due to a decrease in the liquid limit and plasticity index. This work will help researchers to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms that influence clogging during mechanical tunnel driving in clayey soil sediments, as the effects of different electrolytes on the variation of soil sediment properties. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.