Abstract The particle level responses to different external loadings of a montmorillonitic clay soil are investigated numerically. The soil is saturated by a solution of monovalent counterions, of varying concentrations. We use finite element micromechanical models (based on the Poisson-Nernst-Planck equations) to estimate counterion and electrical potential distributions around individual clay particles at various distances from one another, since analytical solutions are not possible for these complex arrangements of particles. Disjoining pressures are then estimated using the Van’t Hoff relation and Maxwell stress tensor. As the distance between the clay particles decreases and double-layers overlap, the concentration of counterions in the micropores between clay particles increases. This increase lowers the chemical potential of the pore fluid and creates a chemical potential gradient in the solvent that generates the so-called “disjoining” or “osmotic” pressure. Because of this disjoining pressure, it is clear that particles need not contact one another in order to carry an “effective stress”. This work may lead towards theoretical predictions of the macroscopic load deformation response of montmorillonitic soils based on micro-electro-chemo-mechanical modelling of particles.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Numerical particle-scale study of swelling pressure in clays


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Publication date :

    2009-06-24


    Size :

    7 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English




    Experimental Correlations for the Swelling Pressure of Expansive Clays in the City of Tebessa, Algeria

    Djellali, Adel / Saghafi, Behrooz / Laouar, Mohamed Salah | Springer Verlag | 2019


    Multiscale modeling of swelling clays: A computational and experimental approach

    Katti, Dinesh R. / Matar, Mohamed I. / Katti, Kalpana S. et al. | Springer Verlag | 2009


    Influence of building stiffness and foundation embedding on clays shrinkage-swelling hazard consequences

    Jahangir, Emad / Deck, O. / Masrouri, F. | HENRY – Federal Waterways Engineering and Research Institute (BAW) | 2011

    Free access

    Delaminierte Clays : ein Systemvergleich

    China Clay Handelsgesellschaft, Bassermann und Grolman GmbH und Co. | TIBKAT | 1966