Clay swelling of Quaternary and Paleogene deposits in the south-eastern flanks of West Siberian iron ore basin

V V Kramarenko,I A Matveenko,A A Shramok,A El- Shinawi

doi:10.1088/1755-1315/33/1/012041

Abstract

Revealing soil swelling and estimation of swelling rate are of great importance at the initial survey stages as well as the bases for further determination of more accurate factors used for selection of recovery methods and facility design. The paper states briefly the most conventional prediction express-methods and determination of swelling indicators, the results of laboratory research in clay composition and properties, free swell index of Quaternary and Paleogene clays in the south-east of West Siberian iron-ore, gives the estimates of the swelling rate. The results have been statistically analyzed, revealing the relationship of properties, on the basis of which the correlation dependencies are suggested to predict the free swell index as well as to apply it for frost heave prediction.

Highlights

When changing the temperature-humidity conditions swelling clay poses a serious problem for construction as, when steeping, one observes a transition from solid and semi-solid phases to plastic one, density reduction, several time decrease in strength properties, and increase in maximum swelling pressure up to 2 MPa that can result in partial or complete facility destruction
In accordance with the normative techniques used in geological engineering survey [1], swell index is determined for soils of natural humidity, which depends on the test time and may be significantly different depending on weather conditions at different time of the year
To solve the set problems more than 200 samples are selected from clay soil from the depth of 160200 m of Quaternary and Paleogene deposits

Summary

Introduction

When changing the temperature-humidity conditions swelling clay poses a serious problem for construction as, when steeping, one observes a transition from solid and semi-solid phases to plastic one, density reduction, several time decrease in strength properties, and increase in maximum swelling pressure up to 2 MPa that can result in partial or complete facility destruction. In accordance with the normative techniques used in geological engineering survey [1], swell index is determined for soils of natural humidity, which depends on the test time and may be significantly different depending on weather conditions at different time of the year. Revealing of swelling clays is one of the most important tasks of a geological engineer for further detail study. The objectives include the review of previously conducted research in geological engineering conditions of the area to establish the presence of smectite and hydromica minerals, study the prediction methods of expansive soil behavior and its classifications, selection of express-methods to determine swelling characteristics, sample preparation and laboratory soil tests; statistical data processing and establishment of relationship between the values of their composition and properties

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion