Influence of temperature on the hydro-mechanical behavior of Boom Clay

Yu Hongdan, Weizhong Chen, Zhe Gong, Yong-Shang Ma, Guangjing Chen, Xiang Ling Li

    Research outputpeer-review

    Abstract

    The purpose of this study is to identify common properties, as well as specific features of Boom Clay with regard to its response to thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) loading through laboratory experiments, particularly at temperatures significant for radioactive waste disposal. Triaxial shearing tests at various temperatures and various effective confining pressures were performed on Boom Clay samples under undrained conditions. Test results clearly show that under the same hydro-mechanical conditions, an increase in temperature can cause a decrease of shear strength of Boom Clay. This weakening in shear strength was further interpreted as the reduction in cohesion and elastic modulus, and also the pore pressure build-up due to temperature elevation. However, the temperature effect on the friction angle is not clear. The results obtained confirm the effect of the overconsolidation ratio (OCR) on the thermal volume changes (contraction or dilation). The laboratory test results presented here give additional information to gain more insight into the thermal influence of heat emitting wastes on the behavior of clay, to validate and calibrate models.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)189-197
    Number of pages9
    JournalInternational Journal of Rock Mechanics & Mining Sciences
    Volume108
    DOIs
    StatePublished - 2 Jul 2018

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