Abstract
The swelling of clay-sulfate rocks presents a substantial challenge in geotechnical engineering, with the city of Staufen in Germany being a case study, where ground deformations were triggered by water flow into the Triassic Grabfeld Formation. The underlying mechanisms include clay swelling and chemical swelling from the transformation of anhydrite to gypsum, both leading to a volume increase. This research developed two hydro-mechanical (HM) models based on semi-logarithmic and sigmoidal swelling laws to accurately simulate the observed heave in Staufen, and compares them against a previously developed HM model utilizing a linear swelling law. Comparative analysis demonstrates that the proposed models exhibit better capability in replicating the ground heave, with the linear model showing lower performance yet maintaining practical adequacy. Additionally, statistical analyses reveal the impact of geological complexity and spatial heterogeneity of rock properties on swelling behavior, providing crucial insights for engineering geologists and researchers. This study contributes to the development of informed strategies to mitigate risks associated with clay-sulfate rocks, thereby enhancing the stability of affected infrastructure.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
