Strength and Bulk Density of Compacted Mixtures of Kaolinite and Glass Beads

Abstract

AbstractCompacted mixtures of kaolinite and glass beads were used to test a hypothesis that the number of contact points of a matrix influences its strength. Four glass bead mixtures were used: (1) a single‐sized bead, (2) 2 sizes of beads designed to permit cubic, but not tetrahedral, packing of the largest size beads, (3) 2 sizes of beads designed to permit tetrahedral packing of the largest sized beads, and (4) 4 sizes of beads designed to permit tetrahedral packing. From 2 to 40% clay was added to each glass bead mixture; moisture tension at time of compaction ranged from 1/3 to 15 bars.The 4‐component mixture with clay contents above 25% gave the highest dry strength. Maximum bulk densities in all glass bead mixtures were attained at clay contents of 20 to 30%. Maximum strength and bulk density for each mixture was attained at a moisture content between 1 and 5 bars tension regardless of clay content.